The Staredown of Doom....A Little Too Soon?
by Charles Walker on Mar 9, 2009 1:11 PM EDT
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If you watched UFC 96, which I'm assuming most of us here did, while the fifteen minutes of combat between Quinton ‘Rampage' Jackson and Keith Jardine was exciting it was the 55 seconds during the post-fight interview that really made the night memorable. If you for some odd reason haven't seen this, please check it out here on the site. Light heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans and Jackson stood face to face and engaged in a heated war of words as Joe Rogan simply played the middle man as they sparred. In the end, what was once an intriguing match up of very even fighters turned into what could be one of the few blockbuster bouts generated by the UFC. With that said, there was one major detail that was omitted from the number one contender. The assumed date of July 11th at UFC 100 was bumped up to May 23rd at UFC 98 due to Frank Mir's injury. True, these guys are professional fighters and should be in top condition throughout their careers, but plain and simple, if Jackson were to take this fight that would be his third fight within roughly five months. Couple that with those three fights taking place against top 10 opponents and you have a contender that is in a sticky situation.
Just as quickly as the graphic for UFC 98 went up with both Rashad and Quinton's faces plastered as the main event, it quickly came down. If you watched the final UFC 96 vlog, which you can view here, Dana White broke the news to Jackson just moments after his unanimous decision victory over Jardine. With a bit of reluctance in both his expression and tone, Jackson said he would have to check with his management but he ‘had Dana's back'. Though he somewhat agreed and seemed to have not taken much damage in the fight with Jardine, he still hasn't been medically cleared and also was complaining of a jaw injury which he sustained before his UFC 92 bout with Wanderlei Silva. This brings up two scenarios that will either make or break what has now become a must see matchup: -Rampage could take the fight - barring any injuries or suspensions, Rampage could thrust himself back into training within the next few weeks and prepare to fight Rashad Evans. In doing so, there could be a good chance that a non-100% Jackson, due to the wear and tear of the last five months, could show up to face the champ. That would be an absolute nightmare for Jackson and could damper what could be an action-packed brawl. Without formally breaking down a fight between the two, I feel as though Rashad and Rampage are basically the same fighter in most aspects with Rashad being the quicker of the two. Both have a strong wrestling background, are freakishly powerful, have improved boxing, and granite chins. The only slight difference is Rashad can probably beat ‘Page to the punch. So knowing that, a sluggish, worn down Rampage would be fodder for Rashad, who can play the countering game just as well as Jackson. An over aggressive or even under aggressive Rampage would and could seep into the latter rounds and collect enough damage to welter under the attacks. - Evaluating the circumstances-Jackson could decide to pass on the May date and wait it out for his next opportunity to get a shot at the title. Unfortunately, that means that the now hyped ‘black on black crime' would have to not only lose steam but also be in jeopardy altogether thanks to a certain Lyoto Machida. Dana White made it clear that if Jackson didn't feel as though he could do it, Machida was in. That would mean Rashad would have to defeat the undefeated ‘Dragon' and then move on to Rampage. That's a huge task and one that I don't know if I bank on happening. Thus, we'd be stuck with a very good but not quite as wanted bout between Machida and Jackson, negating the entire 55 second smack talk that had the Ohio crowd in stitches. -Rampage could not take the fight-So what is a brother to do? If I were in Rampage's camp, I'd weigh the pros and cons. Only he knows what he's capable of doing and how he feels. A physically ready Rampage is important...but a mentally prepared Rampage is imperative. With so much on the line in that one bout, he'd be crazy to not take the opportunity but at the same time would be crazy to take it simply because a loss would send him freefalling in the most stacked division in MMA. So, with all this said, if you were Rampage, what would you do?
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Man
Talk about tough decision. There are SO many variables to take into consideration here.
-Of course will Rampage be 100%?
-Taking this fight will be another couple of months away from his kids(which was highlighted on the countdown show)
-This fight will get the “Primetime” treatment. Can you afford to miss that opportunity? Which equals more time away from your kids/family because of promotion for the fight.
-If he passes on this fight…it could be months before he get the title shot(Machida or Evans could get injured if they fought)
-It would be another $325K in his pocket…not even counting PPV % he gets if he takes this fight.
That’s just off the top of my head….lol.
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If I were him I’d wait. You dont want to rush into an important fight like that, especially against a top notch opponent like Evans. Also, I dont know if he would want to spend that much more time away from his family so soon. That would be a big factor that could add to his mental state going into a fight.
From a fan of MMA prospective: I’ll say its too soon because if Rampage does lose, there will always be that uncertainty if he rushed it, and all the Rampage haters (I’ll admit I’m somewhat of one) and the Rampage lovers will debate back and forth weather or not he was 100%, weather or not taking the fight on short notice mattered, if Rashad is really better than Jackson. Thats a could of/should of/would of argument waiting to happen.
...some call me "el mexicutioner"...
by _Felix_ on Mar 9, 2009 1:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agree completely with Felix on that “what if” factor. I rather them just put this back on for UFC 100 and put GSP vs Alves in place.
Anybody else get the feeling they pushed Lesnar/“Mur” back on purpose? Dana knows Brock is a HUGE draw and he wants HUGE #’s for UFC 100. Lesnar and Pierre are gauranteed to do just that. It will probably break the all time PPV record. I guess its up to Rampage. Go take a really nice 2 week vacation with the fam and then go train. Tell Dana that hes done for the year after the fight.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Mar 9, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Rashad has a VERY good chin as I’ve written before. Son Son ate a headkick from Bonnar like it was nothing! It landed flush too…lol. Just off the top of my head…Rashad doesn’t put combinations together as well as Rampage. Also, if Rashad comes in and uses a lot of(kicks) something he normally doesn’t do…he could be in trouble. I would LOVE to do the breakdown for this one….it would take pages and pages…lol.
http://www.mmaforreal.com
But if Ramapage doesn't take it...
Who do you see headlining 98? There’s already been a butt-load of hype built for it for the Mir-Lesnar match and now with that gone what is to become of UFC 98?
I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
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I’ve never seen Rashad really use a jab (I could be absolutely wrong) I just don’t remember seeing him do that…he’s a little loopy with his punches, which would be a field day for Rampage AND Machida…however, he does have a good chin and is very patient…now I might have to change my mind and say I wanna see that fight..lol
Rashad uses a jab…but not as a jab…he uses it to gauge distance to throw that big right hand….which is usually followed by a left hook(just like the Liddell KO sequence)
For some odd reason people have basically given the nod to Rashad over Rampage if they fight in May. I dunno why…maybe because he didn’t stop Jardine like everyone thought or something? I almost want them to fight in May solely so I can do the break down for that fight…lol.
http://www.mmaforreal.com
Yeah, my sister’s both were like ‘Rashad will whoop Rampage’…I was like…what? Then again, they’ve only seen Rashad fight Chuck and Forrest
by Charles Walker on Mar 9, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m with Charles’ sisters…edge to Rashad.
As to whether Rampage should fight at 98…it’s his call man…he knows how much training he needs or how he feels.
It’s kinda curious how this was all set up with the timing factor not considered.
Shake this out….get that tournament working, UFC Bald Man.
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