‘Rampage’ Jackson Reminds Daniel Cormier of his iconic Bodyslam KO in PRIDE: ‘Is He New to MMA?’

RampageMMA legend Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has a history lesson for Daniel Cormier. ‘DC’ was on the call when fans…

Rampage

MMA legend Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has a history lesson for Daniel Cormier.

‘DC’ was on the call when fans bore witness to not one, but two epic bodyslam KOs during Saturday’s action-packed UFC Austin card. The viral finishes came in back-to-back bouts starting with Drakkar Klose who slammed his way out of an armbar attempt, rendering his opponent, Joe Solecki, instantly out cold. It was an insane moment that sent Cormier and the rest of the crew into a frenzy. But that was only the appetizer.

In the very next fight, Cody Brundage scored his own highlight-reel-worthy knockout when he picked up Zach Reese and sent him crashing back to the canvas while fighting out of an arm triangle.

Cormier sold the moment claiming that he had never seen anything like that before, a comment which earned the attention of ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

“How is Daniel Cormier (did I spell his name right) gonna say he’s never seen this? Is he new to MMA? Did he start with only the UFC? Did he not watch PRIDE FC? I need him to come on the jaxxon podcast,” Jackson wrote on X.

‘Rampage’ still has the greatest slam KO in MMA history

When it comes to bodyslam knockouts, there’s no greater example than the one ‘Rampage’ gave us at Pride Critical Countdown 2004. Squaring off with Ricardo Arona, Jackson famously powered Arona up on his shoulders and slammed him back down in a most violent fashion.

Arona was clearly out, but that didn’t stop Jackson from firing a couple of ground-and-pound strikes for good measure. It truly was the Wild West of mixed martial arts.

Rampage Jackson claims PRIDE fights were often rigged: “I know there’s been fake fights in MMA.”

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Pride Fighting ChampionshipQuinton “Rampage” Jackson says professional MMA fights are constantly rigged. During an interview with Chris Van Vliet earlier this month, Jackson spoke about “fake fights” in Pride Fighting Championship. He fought for the Japanese mixed martial arts promotion from July 2001 to February 2006. “I know that there’s been fake fights in MMA,” Jackson said. […]

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Pride Fighting Championship

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson says professional MMA fights are constantly rigged.

During an interview with Chris Van Vliet earlier this month, Jackson spoke about “fake fights” in Pride Fighting Championship. He fought for the Japanese mixed martial arts promotion from July 2001 to February 2006.

“I know that there’s been fake fights in MMA,” Jackson said. “I know that… Say me and you fight and you say, ‘Listen Rampage, I’m gonna give you $10 million to take a dive. I gotta look good though. I gotta really hit you. I’m like, ‘I get hit all the time’. At the end you know that you’re gonna hit me, I know that you’re gonna hit me, but you know you’re gonna knock me the f*** out. I’m just thinking, ‘I’m gonna get hit then I gotta fall down’. Boxers do that shit all the time.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

Rampage Jackson Made a Name For Himself in PRIDE

During his 5-year stint in “PRIDE”, Jackson had notable wins over Chuck Liddell, Ricardo Arona and Murilo Rua. He also fought for the PRIDE middleweight title.

PRIDE was home to many MMA legends, including Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Dan Henderson and Wanderlei Silva. The promotion closed its doors in 2007 after a 10-year run.

Shogun Rua reveals scuppered plan for super fight with Fedor Emelianenko: ‘It would have been an honor’

Shogun RuaBrazilian veteran, Shogun Rua has revealed that PRIDE FC officials had attempted to book a super fight between himself and fellow former promotional champion, Fedor Emelianenko during their stints with the now-defunct organization, speaking candidly of the missed-out clash. Rua, a former PRIDE FC middleweight Grand Prix victor back in 2005, is set to make […]

Shogun Rua

Brazilian veteran, Shogun Rua has revealed that PRIDE FC officials had attempted to book a super fight between himself and fellow former promotional champion, Fedor Emelianenko during their stints with the now-defunct organization, speaking candidly of the missed-out clash.

Rua, a former PRIDE FC middleweight Grand Prix victor back in 2005, is set to make his expected retirement walk at UFC 283 next month in his native Brazil, taking on light heavyweight prospect, Ihor Potieria. 

As for Emelianenko, the former PRIDE FC heavyweight champion and Grand Prix victor, is scheduled to headline Bellator 290 in February in a heavyweight title rematch with champion, Ryan Bader, in a bout which is also expected to serve as Emelianenko’s swansong in professional mixed martial arts.

Shogun Rua reveals plans for made for him to fight Fedor Emelianenko

Sharing a story of how he almost fought both Emelianenko and then compatriot, Wanderlei Silva – whom he described as an “idol” during their PRIDE FC tenures, Rua admitted he would have been honored to have competed against the Russian.

“After I won the light heavyweight [Grand Prix] and he (Fedor Emelianenko) won the heavyweight Grand Prix, the promoters started to talk about a super fight, but it never happened,” Shogun Rua told Sherdog. “Coincidentally, I was probably closer to fighting my idol, Wanderlei (Silva) before he lost to Ricardo Arona in the semi finals.”

“It would have been an honor to fight Fedor when we were both in our primes,” Shogun Rua continued. “In my opinion, Fedor is among the three best pound-for-pound fighters ever.” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

In 2010, Rua competed for the UFC light heavyweight title in a rematch against compatriot, Lyoto Machida, securing the undisputed crown with a first round knockout win at UFC 113. 

Attempting to snap a two-fight losing skid to both Paul Craig, and Ovince Saint Preux in his Brazil homecoming against Potieria, Rua’s most recent professional win came in the form of a split decision win over Minotouro Nogueira in 2020.

Sean O’Malley Reveals What PRIDE Rules Would Mean For The UFC

Some have called for the UFC to adopt more rules that PRIDE used to use, but Sean O’Malley is not sure that’s a great idea. O’Malley is one of the leading faces of the new crop of athletes populating the sport, bringing along a new ba…

Some have called for the UFC to adopt more rules that PRIDE used to use, but Sean O’Malley is not sure that’s a great idea. O’Malley is one of the leading faces of the new crop of athletes populating the sport, bringing along a new batch of young fans with him. These young fans may…

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley Reveals What PRIDE Rules Would Mean For The UFC at MMA News.

The Eight Most Bizarre MMA Fights In Modern History

Editor’s Note: “Modern History” is being loosely defined as the post-formative years of MMA, when the sport became more widely and thoroughly regulated. Every so often, a fight comes along that’s just so bizarre it causes you to…

Editor’s Note: “Modern History” is being loosely defined as the post-formative years of MMA, when the sport became more widely and thoroughly regulated. Every so often, a fight comes along that’s just so bizarre it causes you to squint at the TV, shake your head, and quietly whisper to yourself; “What the hell am I…

Continue Reading The Eight Most Bizarre MMA Fights In Modern History at MMA News.

Silva Recalls Jackson KO, Describes It As His “Art”

Rampage Jackson Won’t Be SurprisedWanderlei Silva recently shared his thoughts on his legendary knockout victory over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at Pride 28. In a new podcast documentary on Silva by MMA TRUFAN, he recalled how he felt when he first saw Jackson unconscious on the ropes. “When I have this movement, it’s like a martial art, art. Like you […]

Rampage Jackson Won’t Be Surprised

Wanderlei Silva recently shared his thoughts on his legendary knockout victory over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at Pride 28. In a new podcast documentary on Silva by MMA TRUFAN, he recalled how he felt when he first saw Jackson unconscious on the ropes.

“When I have this movement, it’s like a martial art, art. Like you paint something or make a sculpture,” Silva said. “Somebody can watch this, like a 1000 years (from now) in Pride from right now and say, ‘Hey this is good, this is a martial art.’”

Silva shared the significance of this fight in regards to his legacy.

“When I hit him in the face, I feel something on the knee. When I look at him on the ropes and all the blood go out and the people scream very loud. That moment for me be one of the best (moments) of my career. Because this (is) a blast kick and I think it’s one of my greatest knockouts ever.”

Former Pride Vice President Jerry Millen was in attendance for the fight and shared his thoughts.

“I was sitting ringside for the Quinton Jackson fight when Wanderlei hit him with those knees and sent Quinton through the ropes and blood just blew out of Quinton’s face.”

Silva and Jackson’s Rivalry

The rivalry between Silva and Jackson began at Pride 25 in 2003. After Jackson’s knockout win over Kevin Randleman, he challenged Silva who was sitting ringside. Silva climbed into the ring to accept the challenge and shoved Rampage, which led to a melee in the ring.

Later that year, Silva and Jackson faced each other in the finals of the Pride Middleweight Grand Prix 2003. Silva went on to stop Jackson via technical knockout. Their rematch would be a year later at Pride 28.

Sports Illustrated called Wanderlei’s second knockout over Rampage the 2004 Knockout of the Decade. Wanderlei finished his career with twenty-seven knockouts including brutal finishes over Kazushi Sakuraba, Keith Jardine and Brian Stann. However, he considers his second knockout over Rampage one of the greatest of his career.

Hear the entire MMA TRUFAN documentary on Wanderlei Silva below.