Par: Joshua Carey
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has returned to Japan for the first time since PRIDE 31 dans les 2006.

Jackson, qui a passé cinq ans combat dans le pays au cours de son mandat en vertu de la susmentionné fierté bannière rencontre Ryan Bader dans le partent à la télévision à la carte du UFC 144 à l'intérieur de Saitama Super Arena.

Avec une carrière qui s'étend sur 13 années, “Rampage” may very well be fighting for the final time in front of his Japanese fans and he’s excited to put on a show.

“I just really want to put on an exciting fight for the fans here, because I really missed them and I begged for this fight and stuff like that,” Rampage stated during open-workouts. “So, I just want to put on an exciting fight and at the end of the day my job is to entertain people.”

He made a successful professional debut in his hometown of Memphis, Tn. dans les 1999 and victories over former champions Chuck Liddell (deux fois), Kevin Randleman, Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, and Lyoto Machida have made him a legend of the sport.

Dans 2007, a decision victory over Henderson made “Rampage” the only fighter to unify the PRIDE and UFC light-heavyweight championships.

Avec cela dit, there’s not much he hasn’t accomplished in the Mixed Martial Arts world. Cependant, the last remaining achievement would be an Octagon victory over Bader in Japan.

“I had a lot of success here, but the real reason I was so anxious to be on this UFC 144 card is that have a special bond with the Japanese fans,” Jackson said. “I’ve really missed fighting here, just the whole energy of the place and how they go crazy but they are also so respectful at the same time.

“I was so determined to make sure I was on this card. I must have asked Dana (White) about it a thousand times. I guess he got tired of me asking and put me as the co-main event with Ryan Bader. Honnêtement, I’d have been cool as a prelim guy for this fight, just put me on the card.”

Inutile de dire que, given his following among the Japanese fans UFC officials weren’t going to put Jackson on the preliminary portion of Saturday’s seven bout pay-per-view main card.

Avec 12 victories coming under the Japanese lights, “Rampage” will clearly be the fan favorite against Bader and he fully plans on delivering a spectacular show for everyone in attendance.

“I’m going to go on the Rampage in Japan,” Jackson said. “I’m going to go back to my old style that and just whup his ass. Il est un bon chasseur, he can punch and wrestle like me, but I want to fight like I did in Japan, just fight and give the fans a fight they will remember for years like they do my PRIDE days.

“That’s all I care about. I’m looking to do some slams, my powerbomb and knocking Ryan Bader out!”