Filed under: UFC, NewsQuinton Jackson is headed back to Japan.
After campaigning for a spot on the UFC 144 card immediately after his loss to Jon Jones in September, the UFC has granted Jackson’s wish of fighting in the Land of the Rising Sun. Jackson…
After campaigning for a spot on the UFC 144 card immediately after his loss to Jon Jones in September, the UFC has granted Jackson’s wish of fighting in the Land of the Rising Sun. Jackson (32-9) has agreed to meet Ryan Bader (13-2) on the Feb. 26 card at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed the news with ESPN.com on Thursday.
Amazingly, when Jackson meets Bader at UFC 144, it will mark exactly six years since his last fight in Japan. On Feb. 26, 2006, “Rampage” defeated Yoon Dong-Sik via unanimous decision at PRIDE 31. In total, the former PRIDE star competed in 20 MMA/kickboxing fights in Japan.
The 33-year-old Jackson is 2-2 in his last four fights. He had won two in a row before losing to Jones in a UFC light heavyweight title fight at UFC 135.
Bader, 28, snapped his two-fight losing streak last weekend at UFC 139 when he knocked out Jason Brilz in the first round. Prior to that win, Bader had lost to Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz in 2011.
UFC 144 will mark the organization’s first event in Japan since Dec. 2000. The main event will feature Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson for the UFC lightweight title.
UFC 144 will mark the return of the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion to the land of the rising sun as the UFC holds its first event in Japan since UFC 29.On this historic card will be a very intriguing welterweight bout featuring two f…
UFC 144 will mark the return of the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion to the land of the rising sun as the UFC holds its first event in Japan since UFC 29.
On this historic card will be a very intriguing welterweight bout featuring two former middleweights that will be fighting for their jobs as former Strikeforce Middleweight champion Jake Shields takes on Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama.
Both men are coming off tough, knockout losses and are riding losing streaks that force both men into a must-win situation.
Here is an early breakdown of this exciting welterweight bout.
Recently, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson took to Twitter to reveal some disappointing news.Earlier today, the enigmatic fighter shed some light about his fighting future. Originally, many believed to be witnessing the r…
Recently, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson took to Twitter to reveal some disappointing news.
Earlier today, the enigmatic fighter shed some light about his fighting future. Originally, many believed to be witnessing the return of “Rampage” come this February, as the UFC ventures back to Japan at the Saitama Super Arena for UFC 144, which will feature a lightweight showdown pitting champion Frankie Edgar against challenger Ben Henderson.
It’s the first time the organization has been seen in the Land of the Rising Sun in more than 11 years. Jackson was a shoe-in for the event, as the former Pride star made his mark in the now-defunct organization with memorable battles against the likes of Ricardo Arona, Kevin Randleman and his then-budding rivalry with Wanderlei Silva—which culminated in a rubber match under the UFC banner, where Jackson exacted revenge with a first-round knockout.
Now one of the UFC’s biggest stars, Jackson made his intentions known following his recent loss to champion Jon Jones that he hopes to return to Japan, though an earlier tweet by the 33-year-old suggested otherwise. According to Jackson,
“It don’t look like I’m fighting n Japan which I’m not happy about at all,I think its a big mistake by the UFC…F*** it.”
However, such may not be the case.
Just a few moments ago, Jackson took to the Internet social medium once again in order to relay some relatively good news, though his next move remains relatively unclear still:
“Guys I have the best managers n the business,this thing will work its way out,I was peed off when I 1st tweed the bad news,let’s c what’s up [sic]”
Post-UFC 135, Jackson had called out rival and fellow Pride vet Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in hopes to avenge an earlier career defeat, though the Brazilian is fresh off a five-round war with the dangerous Dan Henderson this past Saturday. The two engaged in what has been regarded as one of the greatest fights in mixed martial arts history, with both leaving the cage worse for the wear.
This Saturday, Stephan Bonnar was also seen at the San Jose event, which took place at the HP Pavilion for UFC 139, picking up a dominant decision victory over then-budding contender Kyle Kingsbury.
Bonnar recently called out the former world champion in Jackson, who responded in kind, texting UFC head honcho Dana White and informally agreed to the matchup.
Nothing is certain, but regardless, Jackson still has some life on the upcoming Japan card and that is more than enough for now.
In what will be known as one of the best fight cards of 2011, fight fans witnessed light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar pick up his third straight victory with a win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139.
After the event, Bonnar already called out his next oppone…
In what will be known as one of the best fight cards of 2011, fight fans witnessed light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar pick up his third straight victory with a win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139.
After the event, Bonnar already called out his next opponent saying that it had always been a dream of his to fight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
The former light heavyweight champion must have been listening because he quickly texted UFC President Dana White saying that he wanted the fight as well.
Jackson was already set to compete at UFC 144, the organization’s first card in Japan since December of 2000, but was without an opponent, making the Bonnar request more likely to come true.
Yesterday, it was reported by ESPN.com that a fight between the two was in the works for the Japan card. Fans would get the chance to witness the “American Psycho’s” iron chin and jiu jitsu skills against the powerful striking of Jackson.
However, as quickly as the match came about, the plan has already fallen apart as Jackson revealed on Tuesday via Twitter that he had been removed from the card,
“It don’t look like I’m fighting in Japan which I’m not happy about at all, I think it’s a big mistake by the UFC… F*** it.”
Jackson was a fan favorite while he fought for Pride from 2001 to 2006 and would most likely help sell tickets for the event.
The 33-year-old enjoyed some of the best moments of his career while in Japan including his wins over Chuck Liddell and Kevin Randleman, as well as his famous knockout slam against Ricardo Arona.
Jackson was desperate to fight again in Japan before his career came to an end, even going as far as calling out Mauricio “Shogun” Rua after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135. Rua defeated “Rampage” back in April 2005 at Pride Total Elimination 2005.
However, fight fans, as well as Jackson himself, will have to wait to see what the future holds for him.
Whether or not he will be put back on the Japan card or if his opponent is still Bonnar remains unknown at this time.
The world of mixed martial arts is dictated by a series of different disciplines.One of the more aesthetically pleasing arts is that of striking. Overseas, in the Land of the Rising Sun, exists arguably the most coveted organization, which pits the wor…
The world of mixed martial arts is dictated by a series of different disciplines.
One of the more aesthetically pleasing arts is that of striking. Overseas, in the Land of the Rising Sun, exists arguably the most coveted organization, which pits the world’s best strikers all under one roof: K-1.
The promotion has produced some of the best and most memorable battles inside the ring, and with the UFC’s new endeavor into Japan come this February for UFC 144, it seems only fitting that there would a flash of K-1-esque action going on.
(And here we have some lovely fan art of Minowaman doing battle with Godzilla and Ghidorah, while a rocket blasts out of his crotch. / Props: mma-core)
“I thought I was fighting on the UFC card in Tokyo. I thought I was going to fight a gentleman by the name of Ikuhisa Minowa or ‘Minowaman’ and unfortunately, you know, the fight didn’t happen. He actually asked to fight me. I agreed and then for some reason it just didn’t materialize…From what I was told by the UFC, I think they already filled the main card for that one, so there’s not really any room for me anymore.”
(And here we have some lovely fan art of Minowaman doing battle with Godzilla and Ghidorah, while a rocket blasts out of his crotch. / Props: mma-core)
“I thought I was fighting on the UFC card in Tokyo. I thought I was going to fight a gentleman by the name of Ikuhisa Minowa or ‘Minowaman’ and unfortunately, you know, the fight didn’t happen. He actually asked to fight me. I agreed and then for some reason it just didn’t materialize…From what I was told by the UFC, I think they already filled the main card for that one, so there’s not really any room for me anymore.”
Best known for leg-locking enormous men in Japanese freak show fights, Minowa has built a career as the David to the MMA world’s Goliaths, scoring career victories over Bob Sapp, Butterbean, Giant Silva, Hong Man Choi, Kimo Leopoldo, and many other opponents who carried more mass than skill into the ring. But he also had one UFC appearance back in April 2000, stopping the relatively normal-sized Joe Slick by cut-TKO.
In a way, the “All American Hero” vs. the “Japanese Underdog in the Red Shorty-Shorts” would be an undeniably entertaining storyline for the UFC’s return to Japan — and it’s kind of a bummer that it’s not happening. Still, does this mean that the UFC is considering booking Minowaman against somebody at UFC 144? Sean McCorkle might want to clear his schedule…
Quinton Jackson is headed back to Japan.
Recently, former UFC light heavyweight champion 