Chuck Liddell’s Downfall: The Life-Changing Knockouts That Propelled Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson to Stardom

Chuck Liddell’s Downfall: The Life-Changing Knockouts That Propelled Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson to StardomThe knockouts of Chuck Liddell by Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson were pivotal moments in mixed martial arts…

Chuck Liddell’s Downfall: The Life-Changing Knockouts That Propelled Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson to Stardom

The knockouts of Chuck Liddell by Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson were pivotal moments in mixed martial arts history. Altering the careers of the fighters involved and also marking significant shifts in the UFC landscape.

How Knocking Out Chuck Liddell Transformed the Careers of Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson

On May 26, 2007, at UFC 71, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson faced Chuck Liddell in a highly anticipated rematch. Their first encounter had occurred in PRIDE in 2003, where Rampage defeated Liddell via TKO. At UFC 71, Liddell was defending his light heavyweight title and seeking redemption.

However, Rampage ended the fight quickly, knocking out Liddell just 90 seconds into the first round with a powerful hook followed by ground strikes. This victory crowned Jackson as the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and marked a turning point in his career, bringing him mainstream recognition. The fight also elevated the UFC’s popularity, with extensive media coverage and increased attention from mainstream sports outlets.

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On September 6, 2008, at UFC 88: Breakthrough, Rashad Evans faced off against Chuck Liddell in Atlanta, Georgia. Liddell was considered a favorite going into the fight due to his legendary status and striking power. However, Evans delivered one of the most shocking knockouts in MMA history during the second round.

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At 1:51 of Round 2, Evans landed a perfectly timed overhand right that knocked Liddell unconscious instantly. This victory earned Evans the “Knockout of the Night” bonus and propelled him into title contention. For Liddell, however, this loss marked a decline in his career, as it was one of several knockout defeats that followed.

Speaking with each other on a podcast, Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson explained how knocking out UFC icon Chuck Liddell had transformed their lives. Evans explained:

“Once I started to get on the scene, started to experience that life and hang out, you know, I lost my mind for a little bit. You know what I’m saying? Because it’s such a different way of living. I was working as a security guard in a hospital, so going from that to being able to buy what you want, have all kinds of different experiences—you know what I’m saying?—it kind of took me off a little bit.”

Jackson added:

“Yeah, it’s a different thing. My thing is, I couldn’t get used to it. Now I’m hanging out with my friends, and I’ve got dudes trying to buy me drinks every time I go out. That was the part I couldn’t get used to.”

Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson are set to have a boxing match later this year.

I Had No Idea She Was a Porn Star! Rampage Jackson on His Adult Film Dating Surprise

Dating Story: Rampage Jackson on His Porn Surprise: I Had No Idea She Was a Porn Star!Former UFC champion and MMA legend Quinton Rampage Jackson recently shared a wild story about a night out that…

Dating Story: Rampage Jackson on His Porn Surprise: I Had No Idea She Was a Porn Star!

Former UFC champion and MMA legend Quinton Rampage Jackson recently shared a wild story about a night out that took an unexpected turn. Speaking candidly, Jackson recalled meeting a woman at a bar, hitting it off, and even exchanging numbers—only to later discover she was an adult film star.

Rampage Jackson And the Adult Film Star

According to Jackson, the night started casually as he and his group, which included his manager Tiki Ghosn, were out socializing and having drinks. At some point, Rampage Jackson and a young lady hit it off and exchanged numbers. Later on, they were hanging out and Tiki seemed to recognize the woman but couldn’t immediately place her. Rampage Jackson, on his podcast, explained:

“I met this hot-ass, uh, chick—she looked Asian or some, and we hit it off and stuff like that. At the end of the night, she gave me a kiss and gave me her phone number… We were chilling and getting drinks later at the bar, and Tiki was like, “I know this girl from somewhere” …

“She was like, “You really don’t know who I am?” I’m like, “Hell no, I don’t know who you are.” She said, “I’m a porn star.” I was like, “Shut the F* up! What’s your name?” She told me her porn name, and I went back and told Tiki . He said, “Yeah!” … Then she got into a conversation where she said she wanted to date me ’cause she was like, “Look, we’ve been having fun.””

That’s when she directly asked Jackson, “You really don’t know who I am?”Jackson admitted he had no idea. That’s when she revealed she was a porn star, a revelation that left Jackson stunned. He immediately asked for her stage name, then went back to confirm the news with Tiki who apparently recognized her right away.

This was revealed in a conversation with MMA fighter Rob McCullough who had married adult film actress Lexxi Tyler.

While Rampage Jackson didn’t disclose the woman’s identity, he mentioned that the conversation eventually turned more personal, with the woman expressing interest in dating him, citing how much fun they had together. The story has since sparked curiosity among fans, leaving many wondering who the mystery adult film star might have been. Fans speculate from Asa Akira to Mia Khalifa and everyone in between.

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16 Years Later, ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Forrest Griffin are Still Arguing About Their UFC TItle Match

16 Years Later, 'Rampage' Jackson and Forrest Griffin are Still Arguing About Their UFC TItle MatchQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson thinks he beat Forrest Griffin and he’s ready to die on that hill. During a recent…

16 Years Later, 'Rampage' Jackson and Forrest Griffin are Still Arguing About Their UFC TItle Match

Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson thinks he beat Forrest Griffin and he’s ready to die on that hill.

During a recent episode of his JAXXON podcast, ‘Rampage’ hosted former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin—the very man who beat him for the 205-pound title all the way back at UFC 86 on July 5, 2008. Jackson lost the fight via unanimous decision, snapping a six-fight win streak that stretched back to his days of fighting under the PRIDE FC banner.

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As the two started to open some old wounds, ‘Rampage’ made it abundantly clear that he believed he won the fight despite what all three judges ruled.

“You just think you beat me in that fight?” Griffin questioned.

“I do. I do think I beat you in the fight,” Jackson replied. “I do think—because I watched the fight. I’m the first person to admit when I lose. I fight with honor.”

‘Rampage’ and Griffin never ran it back inside the Octagon

Jackson would go on to win four of his next five fights, but would never reclaim the light heavyweight title. He’d have an opportunity to do so at UFC 134, but ‘Rampage’ ultimately succumbed to a fourth-round submission choke against then-champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.

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As for Griffin, the TUF legend would go on to lose the 205-pound crown in his very next fight, surrendering the gold to Rashad Evans five months later. Griffin fought five more times after that before hanging up his gloves for good. His iconic clash with Stephan Bonnar at the inaugural Ultimate Fighter finale was inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2013.

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“They Really F Me Over” – ‘Rampage’ Jackson Opens Up About PRIDE Pay Issues

"They Really F Me Over" - 'Rampage' Jackson Opens Up About PRIDE Pay IssuesOctagon icon Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson recently opened up about the paltry pay he received while competing in the defunct…

"They Really F Me Over" - 'Rampage' Jackson Opens Up About PRIDE Pay Issues

Octagon icon Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson recently opened up about the paltry pay he received while competing in the defunct Japanese promotion PRIDE FC.

Before capturing the UFC light heavyweight championship, ‘Rampage’ made a name for himself in PRIDE, competing against a slew of fellow MMA legends like Kevin Randleman, Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua.

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However, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses while working for the Tokyo-based promotion. During a recent episode of his JAXXON podcast with guest Jake Shields, ‘Rampage’ told the former Strikeforce titleholder that he only walked away with $10,000 for his scrap with UFC Hall of Famer Kazushi Sakuraba at PRIDE 15 in July 2021.

“That’s an easy answer for me. I like PRIDE better, but I like the pay in the UFC better,” Jackson said. “Yeah, because I guess the pay already—and you’re kind of at the edge when it’s starting to get paid pretty good. PRIDE’s financial issues? PRIDE f*cked me over, bro. PRIDE f*cked me over. They—man—they really, really f*cked me over.

“No, bro. They got me. They got me. Remember I [said] earlier, when I got the Sakuraba call, it was double what I was going to make for Ken [Shamrock]? So PRIDE paid me $10,000. I was going to fight Ken for $5,000, but $10,000 was a lot of money for me back then.”

After an impressive run with pRIDE, ‘Rampage’ took his talents to the UFC and Bellator

After six years in PRIDE, ‘Rampage’ made the move to the UFC in 2007 and added to his legacy with big wins over Dan Henderson, and Lyoto Machida. Along the way, he defeated Liddell via a first-round KO to claim the 205-pound title. He defended it against Henderson at UFC 75 before surrendering it 10 months later against Forrest Griffin.

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Rampage’ spent the last six years of his MMA career in Bellator, going 6-3 in the process. Overall, he went 38-14 with 20 of his wins coming by way of KO/TKO.

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Rampage Jackson breaks down fantasy fight with UFC star Alex Pereira: ‘I probably wouldn’t take him down’

Rampage Jackson on fantasy fight with Alex Pereira I wouldn't take him downFormer undisputed light heavyweight champion, Rampage Jackson claims he likely would not have implemented much wrestling or grappling tactics…

Rampage Jackson on fantasy fight with Alex Pereira I wouldn't take him down

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Rampage Jackson claims he likely would not have implemented much wrestling or grappling tactics in a fantasy fight with current division champion, Alex Pereira if they shared the Octagon during their primes.

Jackson, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, is revered as one the most formidable knockout artists in Octagon antiquity, as well as one of the most recognizable fighters in modern mixed martial arts.

Rampage Jackson shares huge gift Yazuka member gave to his son UFC

As for Pereira, the Brazilian phenom has enjoyed a roughshod run through both the middleweight and light heavyweight ranks since his move to the UFC less than three years ago, adding to his stature with a stunning knockout win at UFC 303 last month.

Headlining the International Fight Week card on short notice against former champion, Jiri Prochazka, Pereira felled the Czech Republic native with a spectacular second round high-kick knockout win in their Las Vegas rematch. 

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Rampage Jackson breaks down fantasy fight with Alex Pereira

And discussing the rise and dominant run of Sao Paulo finisher, Pereira, former UFC star, Jackson broke down a fantasy fight between himself and the Brazilian, claiming he likely would have stood and traded with the vicious striker.

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“I probably wouldn’t have tried to take Alex (Pereira) down,” Rampage Jackson said during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. “I probably would have tried [to strike with him] until he started f*cking me up, then be like, ‘Oh, sh*t, it’s like to take him down.’”

During his title run with the UFC, Jackson turned in a stunning knockout win over Chuck Liddell back in 2007, before successfully defending the crown in a unanimous decision win over fellow former PRIDE FC star, Dan Henderson. 

Who would have won in a fantasy UFC showdown: Rampage Jackson or Alex Pereira?

Video – Rampage Jackson reveals huge gift he received for his son from rich Yakuza gang member

Rampage Jackson shares huge gift Yazuka member gave to his son UFCRampage Jackson was a legendary figure in Japan as he competed in Pride from 2001 until 2006 as he…

Rampage Jackson shares huge gift Yazuka member gave to his son UFC

Rampage Jackson was a legendary figure in Japan as he competed in Pride from 2001 until 2006 as he had 19 straight fights in Japan.

With Jackson being a beloved figure in Japan, he met a member of the Yazuka Gang, who was running Japan at that time. The gang was involved in gambling, drug trafficking, and extortion and they allegedly had ties to Pride.

After some time, Rampage Jackson finally met a gang member who found out he had a Japanese kid, and the gang member gave him a unique gift.

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Mandatory Credit: Bellator MMA

“I had a friend out there. His name was 36 and the guy took a liking to me. He was super cool all [tattooed] up. I think he was super rich. When he found out that I had Japanese kids he said, ‘Your son needs this’. It was like a gold samurai helmet,” Jackson said on The Joe Rogan Experience.

Jackson says his ex-wife told him the gift was worth around $30,000 to $40,000.

Rampage Jackson did return to Japan for his last MMA fight back in 2019 as he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Fedor Emelinaneko.

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Rampage Jackson teases boxing return

Rampage Jackson was linked to a boxing match with Shannon Briggs last month in Qatar but the fight was scratched due to some concerns the promotion was scamming them.

Although Jackson is hopeful he still can box Briggs, he doubts it will happen and instead is turning his attention to a boxing match against Rashad Evans.

“He and I are talking about doing a boxing match against each other in November,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to get that going.”

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Evans has also expressed interest in the boxing match with Jackson and it does seem likely it will happen soon.

Jackson is 38-14 as a pro-MMA fighter but hasn’t fought since 2019. He is the former UFC light heavyweight champion.