Home to one of the best collegiate wrestling programs in the country, Arizona State University has turned into a hub for future mixed martial artists.Most recently, NCAA wrestling champion and former Sun Devil Bubba Jenkins made the jump from amat…
Home to one of the best collegiate wrestling programs in the country, Arizona State University has turned into a hub for future mixed martial artists.
Most recently, NCAA wrestling champion and former Sun Devil Bubba Jenkins made the jump from amateur wrestling to professional MMA. Despite his outstanding accomplishments in collegiate athletics, Jenkins is nowhere near reaching the level of success that many of his fellow Arizona State alumni have in MMA.
Since Dan Severn became the first Arizona State alum to step into a cage in December 1994, former Sun Devils have generated 54 wins inside the Octagon, one UFC championship, two Pride championships, one Strikeforce championship, one UFC superfight title, one The Ultimate Fighter title and five early-UFC tournament titles.
Here are the 10 former Arizona State students most responsible for the university’s reputation for cultivating elite mixed martial artists.
(If it isn’t my old nemesis, “The Knee.” Come to finish me off, have you?)
Well this is interesting. Coming off a razor thin decision loss in a Fight of the Year candidate match with Dan Henderson at UFC 139, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is looking to get back in the 205 lb mix. With many of the division’s elite already tied up in their own fights, the former UFC Light Heavyweight champ finds himself in a difficult position in terms of matchmaking. But according to Rua, there is one specific fight he has his eyes set on, and it’s not the one you would think. Here’s what he recently told Tatame.com:
The fight against Rampage will happen eventually. It’s inevitable and UFC knows it. He won’t retire before fighting me and neither am I (laughs).
(If it isn’t my old nemesis, “The Knee.” Come to finish me off, have you?)
Well this is interesting. Coming off a razor thin decision loss in a Fight of the Year candidate match with Dan Henderson at UFC 139, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is looking to get back in the 205 lb mix. With many of the division’s elite already tied up with their own fights, the former UFC Light Heavyweight champ finds himself in a difficult position in terms of matchmaking. But according to Rua, there is one specific fight he has his eyes set on, and it’s not the one you would think. Here’s what he recently told Tatame.com:
The fight against Rampage will happen eventually. It’s inevitable and UFC knows it. He won’t retire before fighting me and neither am I (laughs).
As we all know, these two first met back at Pride FC – Total Elimination 2005. Shogun thoroughly dominated Page with a mix of muay Thai knees and soccer kicks, mercilessly finishing him off at 4:47 into the first round.
(Rampage/Rua 1. Fight starts at the 3 minute mark.)
Other names like Phil Davis, Rich Franklin, and Ryan Bader, who most recently trumped Rampage via UD at UFC 144, were also mentioned as possible future opponents for Rua, but after giving his record a quick once over, it becomes evident why he’s angling for a rematch with Jackson. Simply put, Rua in a rematch scenario is basically money in the bank. In his UFC career, Rua has had three rematches against Mark Coleman, Forrest Griffin, and Lyoto Machida. He won all of those fights by way of (T)KO. Add to that the fact that Rua/Rampage could easily co-headline any PPV card out there, and it’s pretty obvious why he would want this rematch. Granted, he lost to all of those opponents the first time around, whereas he beat Rampage, but you get what we’re saying.
And quite frankly, we’re all for this rematch. Rampage, to put it lightly, looked like shit against Bader. Sure, there are some outside injuries to blame, but just as much of the blame could be placed on Jackson’s lack of motivation. Bader was not an opponent that meant much to Page, and it showed. A Rua rematch, on the other hand, is a fight that Quinton would undoubtedly want to vindicate himself with. Needless to say, if he can’t get amped for that fight, then Jackson has truly run his course in the UFC.
And you guys remember the last time Rampage was seeking vindication, right?
Following his disappointing performance against Ryan Bader at UFC 144, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s future was uncertain.The former PRIDE FC star was eager to fight in Japan but he came up short in the process against Bader, who outwrestled Jackson for …
Following his disappointing performance against Ryan Bader at UFC 144, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s future was uncertain.
The former PRIDE FC star was eager to fight in Japan but he came up short in the process against Bader, who outwrestled Jackson for a majority of the bout. Jackson also entered his bout overweight, as he missed the weight cut the day before.
But despite the loss, Jackson is still adamant on fighting in the UFC.
“See, I know I’m getting to the end of my career, because I say I don’t want to fight past 35, but, honestly, before I hurt my knee you guys should have seen how I was training,” Jackson told reporters during a UFC 144 post-fight press conference.
“I think I’ve got a lot of years (left). I’m ready to put on more shows. I heal up fast, I’m like a werewolf. I wasn’t even supposed to fight here, so I’ll be back really soon.”
In regards to a future opponent for Jackson, names have ranged from Dan Henderson to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Rua was an opponent that Jackson had originally intended on facing in Japan, prior to facing Bader in the co-main event.
The loss to Bader gives Jackson the first back-to-back losses in his career and is now 7-4 inside the Octagon, and holds a professional record of 32-10 overall.
Albeit Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tried his damndest to upend Ryan “Darth” Bader at UFC 144 that doesn’t necessarily suggest his heart is still in sport of MMA, and if that’s the case, the former light heavyweight tit…
Albeit Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tried his damndest to upend Ryan “Darth” Bader at UFC 144 that doesn’t necessarily suggest his heart is still in sport of MMA, and if that’s the case, the former light heavyweight titlist needs to walk away.
Due to an injury incurred prior to the fight, Rampage entered the co-main event six pounds over the limit. Whether that had anything to do with his poor performance is neither here nor there (though he says it did), the fact remains, that for some time now, Rampage’s mind has been elsewhere.
In 2010, he starred in the movie A-Team when there was money to be made in the Octagon. Rampage has also completed the filming of Fire with Fire and at present has another in post-production (Duel of Legends). This could easily suggest a future change in vocation for the former Pride star.
In addition, Rampage has intimated that he’s bored with professional mixed martial arts, and as such hinted at lacing up his gloves in the art of the sweet science.
Furthermore, Jackson is almost 34, and has contested in 42 fights. Now that wouldn’t be much of problem, save for the fact that in the last five years, seven of his nine outings have gone to decision—some of them grueling encounters. Which begs the question, has the fight game finally taken its toll on him?
Rampage says he wants to continue fighting, though saying it is one thing, and actually believing it is another. If it’s the latter, then now is the time for the Memphis native to walk away.
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At UFC 144, Ryan Bader scored unarguably the biggest win of his career.Before the sold-out crowd at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, Bader defeated former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson over the course of three rounds, taking an uncontested de…
At UFC 144, Ryan Bader scored unarguably the biggest win of his career.
Before the sold-out crowd at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, Bader defeated former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson over the course of three rounds, taking an uncontested decision win against a formidable and world-renowned opponent.
Now, Bader has now asserted himself once again as a top contender in the light heavyweight division with that pivotal performance and will likely be just a few wins away from a shot at the title.
If you’re only going to do one thing, make sure you do it well. (Photo: Getty Images/UFC.com)
It would be an understatement to call the UFC’s return to Japan triumphant. We could point to the bevy of exciting finishes as proof enough, but last night’s action seemed to go beyond that. More important to the evening’s success was the way the competitors fought. Surrounded by fans that appreciate the “bushido spirit” above all else, the fighters let it all hang out and battled their way through adversity. The Japanese prefer an entertaining performance over a cautious victory, and from the opening bout to the final bell of the evening, they got their money’s worth.
The final four combatants weren’t able to match the undercard’s highlight-reel stoppages, but the fighters knew the stakes and, to the best of their abilities, showed up to wow the fans.
If you’re only going to do one thing, make sure you do it well. (Photo: Getty Images/UFC.com)
It would be an understatement to call the UFC’s return to Japan triumphant. We could point to the bevy of exciting finishes as proof enough, but last night’s action seemed to go beyond that. More important to the evening’s success was the way the competitors fought. Surrounded by fans that appreciate the “bushido spirit” above all else, the fighters let it all hang out and battled their way through adversity. The Japanese prefer an entertaining performance over a cautious victory, and from the opening bout to the final bell of the evening, they got their money’s worth.
The final four combatants weren’t able to match the undercard’s highlight-reel stoppages, but the fighters knew the stakes and, to the best of their abilities, showed up to wow the fans.
Quinton Jackson’s hopes to turn back the clock and revive his fan-focused style in Japan faded as quickly as his PRIDE walkout song. Just minutes into his bout with Ryan Bader, as he was pressed against the cage, it was clear that he was battling an opponent whose wrestling prowess promised to stifle whatever energy he’d hoped to bring to Saitama Super Arena. What’s worse, he must have known that there was little he could do about it. Overweight and under-trained, this was the worst Rampage we’ve seen to date. As the second round kicked off he looked slow, sluggish, and outgunned. And that’s when it happened. As Bader delivered a knee toward his head, Rampage caught the leg and scooped him up for a brutal slam. No, it wasn’t as high nor as swift as we’ve seen in the past, but for a man desperately hoping to thrill his fans it was an important moment, and moments like that are hard to come by. Bader was wobbled, but while the effects of the [pretty much illegal] slam were fleeting, Rampage had delivered what was unquestionably the most memorable action in the bout.
Unfortunately for the former Light Heavyweight Champion, that highlight would be his first and last. Bader quickly regained his composure and with it control of the fight. It was a dominant performance that scored him an obvious unanimous decision. Rampage cites a knee injury in training as the reason for his lack of preparation, and while his love of fighting has certainly waned in recent years I’m inclined to believe him. His assertion that he looked better than ever prior to the injury, probably not. At the end of the day, it was a very disappointing performance from Rampage and a notable victory for Bader. The former TUF’er notched a big win against a legend of the sport, and he did so on an important stage.
Before we begin quarreling about the outcome of the main event, let’s all do ourselves a favor and go watch the fight again. Not to see who scored more takedowns in round two, not to count who landed more significant strikes in round four, but to enjoy a damn good fight. In the latest installment of back-and-forth Lightweight title fights, Frankie Edgar showed the heart and determination that earned him the belt in the first place. Those disappointed that he didn’t survive a near-death experience in round 1 got their wish as the second frame wound down. A perfectly placed up-kick dropped the champion, opening his nose like a spigot. But it wouldn’t be a Frankie Edgar fight if he didn’t prove his mettle, and “The Answer” proved once again that he doesn’t have an ‘off switch’, only a ‘reset button’. The champ battled back and looked no worse for wear in rounds 3-5 (aside from his battered face, of course), but at the end of the fight the scorecards didn’t add up in his favor.
For those of you upset at the decision, of whom there are undoubtedly many, take comfort in the fact that Benson Henderson fought like a champion last night. While you may not agree with the judges’ tally, there can’t be any disappointment in having a champion that performs like he does. Henderson exhibited powerful, dynamic striking from the opening bell and he never stopped moving forward. He brought the fight to Frankie standing up and on the ground and was fighting for the finish; it’s not his fault that Edgar can’t be put away. Both men fought beyond expectations and together they earned the $65k “Fight of the Night” bonus.
Edgar’s reign was hallmarked by closely contested battles and instant rematches, and that streak shouldn’t end now. You can argue who won but you can’t argue that it was close, and if anyone deserves a chance to win back his belt it’s Edgar. Dana seems to be leaning toward a different rematch for Henderson in the form of Anthony Pettis. That bout too has an interesting storyline and would yield a night full of fireworks. Either way, the fans will be treated to a blockbuster fight between two competitors that go for broke. If the Japanese fans taught us anything last night, it’s that there’s little else we could ask for.
Albeit Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tried his damndest to upend Ryan “Darth” Bader at 