A grudge match between former light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is likely to take place in May, UFC President Dana White announced at Saturday’s post-UFC 108 press conference.
Evans and “Rampage,” opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 10, had been set to settle their feud in December at UFC 107, but Jackson’s role in “The A-Team” and brief retirement put the matchup in jeopardy. However, Jackson’s recently-announced return and Evan’s win over Thiago Silva in the UFC 108 main event have put the bout back on track, and the pair are now expected to square off at UFC 113.
UFC 113 takes place on May 1 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada and is headlined by a rematch between light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and challenger Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
For complete UFC 113 coverage and the latest UFC news and UFC rumors stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.
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Nice card…I’m suprised they didn’t split these two fights into separate headliners. Let’s hope no one gets hurt in training! I pity Rashad!
someone will back out.. i almost guarantee it.. i pity the fool
i got rampage on this one via knockout or maybe even e decision bc rashad wont be able to out wrestle rampage
i dont know. rashad at 108 was awesome, silva couldnt do anything( except the 3rd round, that was a haaaaaard punch)
I’m just hoping that both men stay healthy, and that Jackson comes back to the sport with his head screwed on straight.
After some of those blog posts or whatever, not to mention his previous history of road “Rampage” and sh!t-awful TUF “coaching”, I’m somewhat questioning Jackson’s mental and emotional fitness to compete at the UFC level…
Hey..this match should be part of 114/Expo….not 113…move it Dana…
i’m sorry but i would have to put my whole weeks pay on rampage via KO.
I thought the rumoured UFC111 figure was way too early. Let’s hope they stay fit, but I can see this moving on to headline 114, four weeks after 113.
If it does happen, imagine the intensity and hype that would surround that card?? Will Shogun finally get what he deserves? Will the Dragon have a new strategy?? Will Rampage have ring rust? What will Rashad’s strategy be? SO much to salivate over!
Let’s go Rampage shut Rashads big mouth up
dude c’mon, rampage is the one who runs his mouth all the time
They both do their share I just hope Rampage knocks his head off.
im with you on that, They both talk but Rampage is funny. Rashad needs to lighten up a little. Rashad has speed but Rampage has power and a better chin. Rashad nearly went to sleep in the last round with Thiago. besides, Rampage is a long time vet in the sport, I doubt Rashad intimidates him at all.
I hope this card goes ahead with both fights and all fighters healthy because this will be my first ufc event… :P
live event, that is.
Nice! Great first Zuffa show, congrats!
It is so funny to read all the things people say about RAMPAGE. They question his mental state, how he was a sorry coach on the Ultimate Fighter and all this mess, but one thing about it he is on a totally different level when it comes to his FIGHTING GAME then rashad evans. Not to mention RAMPAGE is as STRONG as OX, and known for dumpping these punks on their HEADS. lol. rashad was trying to pick up Silva and was struggling.(giving the side eye) and Silva shook his world in the 3rd round. How does rashad think he can even step to RAMPAGE. (WOW! THIS IS A MUST SEE) Do you remember when ya Mama would tell you don’t fight a crazy person..since ya’ll think he is crazy.. then watch ole crazy ass RAMPAGE JACKSON BEAT HIS TAIL, AND THEN GO BACK TO MAKING MOVIES…. DO YOUR THANG BOOBOO… MAKE THAT MONEY DON’T LET THAT MONEY MAKE U…(PLAYERS CLUB) HAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Fighter bashing removed. – Justin H
Rashad struggles to pick up Silva? Really? He secured 50% of his takedowns (8/16) by fightmetrics count and 2 of those were slams.
Perhaps you were expecting something more WWEish?
Also, in regards to that 8/16 number, fight metric considers some things “take down attempts” that you or I would not, so the real take down percentage was probably 8/10-12
rashad will crush rampage jackson he is a fool ruled by emotions rashad got this one.
P>S>
RAMPAGE… MUAH!!!! GET FOCUS….
This match should definately headline UFC 114. This is possibly the most popular match the UFC can make right now. Neither guy really carries a card that well by themselves but there is something very intriguing about this match. And because of Season 10 of the Ultimate Kimbo Slice now even the most casual of sports fans are probablly aware that these guys hate each other. It has to be a headline.
THANK YOU!!!!! is all i can say .. ill be there and CANT WAIT!!
damn 5 months is a long ways
It might not be in montreal.
I had an interview with Patrick Cote on my site today. UFC representatives are coming next week to deal with our comission once again.
Its in French
http://mmanouvelles.com/?p=3800
jackson aint gonna be able to take on rashads speed and takedowns
rampage on this one…the truth is gonna come out. headkicks a nobody (salmons), he knocks out chuck liddell past his prime, and tko’s forrests glass jaw and thinks he can scrap with ‘page?! i think rampage is gonna KO him harder than machida did
Hey thanks for making my point that Rampage lost to the guy with a “glass jaw”.
forrests got a glass jaw are you kidding?
The guy is known for the amount of damage he can take!
but you are right rashard getting KOTFO!
And if Forrest Griffin did in fact have a “glass jaw”, wouldn’t your boy ‘page have exploited it, instead of dropping his title to Griffin, and then subsequently throwing some sort of psychological fit in daytime traffic and embarrassing himself, the UFC, and the sport??
Did you read what you typed before you submitted it? Rashad knocked out liddell much worse than rampage. Rashad beat forest’s candy ass and rampage could not do anything with forest. Rashad is quicker and has just as much or more knockout power. Also i see a lot of people saying rampage has better wrestling than rashad. Are you serious? Rampage got outwrestled by forest griffin! Rashad is exactly the type of fighter that has given rampage problems in the past: a quicker striker. Not to mention rashad has superb wrestling. Rashad will definately walk away with the victory via ground and pound or decision.
rashad’s speed won’t win him this one, rampage is too strong for the wrestling to work either.
I’m expecting Rampage to be ready not rusty.
the TUF 10 edit jobs are not going to make me think rashad is stronger in strategy either – even with Greg Jackson
i dont know what ne of yall r talkin bout rashad is the better wrestler of the two n his knockouts r better than rampages. the guys that rampage knocks out still have a lil bit of there senses with them except wand. when rashad knocks someone out they r out for the night. rashad will win this one
correct me if im wrong but rashad wrestled Div 1 at michigan state did he not
He did.
you could say that about machida, not sure it matters or if it’s really reflective of the likelihood.
Anyone who thinks rampage has a chance in hell of beating Rashad is crazy and most likely knows nothing about the sport. First, speed beats strength. Rashad obviously has a distinct advantage in this category. Also, as a former two time NCAA Div. 1 national champion, Rashad outclasses Rampage by a mile when it comes to wrestling (which is 99% of the sport). Rampage may have a slight strength advantage and a punchers chance, but you can bet your ass that he will definitely be the underdog in Vegas, based on the above referenced factors.
Prediction: Rashad Evans wins via TKO Round 2
Rashad…. get off the gas…. your panties are to tight…. Rashad I know that is you…… Rashad your mama is calling your name…. hahahahahahah!We try to argue with facts here. – Justin H
Based on, wrestling on paper your right Joel, but if you remember Henderson vs Rampage – The takedown department it was kind of even.
or Randleman vs Rampage – which Randleman had a very hard time. I’ll also add what both guys are to the sport of mma.
Henderson’s wrestling background
“He attended Victor Valley High School in Victorville, California, and earned medals at the California State Wrestling Championships in 1987 and 1988. Henderson went on to wrestle at both Cal State Fullerton and Arizona State University, participating in the 1993 NCAA championships. He represented the United States in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.”+ Henderson became the first fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two different weight classes in a major MMA organization.
or
Randleman’s wrestling background
“Wrestling at 177 pounds, Randleman was a two time Division I NCAA Champion for an Ohio State University”+ Randleman has competed in the heavyweight and light heavyweight classes holding the UFC Heavy Weight title.
Rampage on paper loses these fights in a wrestling match but when you add in striking, you can throw the paper out the window when the bell rings.
THANK YOU!
Very nice btw. Thanks Wikipedia! Ha
Any time Lex.. just lookin to keep facts straight, I normally find it hard to remember a MMA fighters full wrestling history.
Come on Rampage!!!!! You Da Man…
As much as I want to go into analysis about who will come out on top in this bout…..I wont.
Simply because of all the injuries over the last few months. I give it a few weeks, a month or so, and if both of these guys are still healthy and ready to fight, then I will get into it.
Rampage better beat Evans, because of all the backstabbing Evans pulled lately. Evans is a showboat, and his mouth really put himself in this mess. His mouth isn’t getting his a** out of this one.
Why does Rua get a rematch so soon after losing to Machida? Dana White, what’s wrong with this picture? Isn’t there a pecking order? I suppose that gets thrown out the window. Heck, White could have put Anderson Silva in there against either one (Rua or Machida). Why isn’t Evans getting his second shot at Machida, but Rua does? Why not have Evans fight Rua first? White had Evans fight Silva, but Rua doesn’t have to fight for a 2nd trip to the title fight. Oh, because it was so close. No excuse, though. This is the first time I’ve seen a UFC rematch so soon after an initial fight.
EEERRRR! Because rua should of won just the judge’s put on their machida glasses!
This is another common misconception that has swept the MMA community. Watch the fight and observe: everytime Rua lands a leg kick it is met with a counter right. Machida had like 3 opportunities to finish the fight. Rua did better against machida than anyone else has but I honestly feel Machida had a bad night. That was not the Machida who knocked out evans and Thiago silva. You can rest assured machida will knock shogun out in their next fight.
Wait a minute.
My apologies, but I can’t address inaccuracies as fast as you can post them.
Thats usually dbiz or bsbiz’s deal, not mine.
First off, how is Evans a “backstabber”, when it was Jackson that pulled out of their signed fight to do a movie and quasi-retire, presumably so he would have more time to post nonsensical ramblings on facebook/twitter/etc.?
Second, how is Evans a “showboater”, when its Jackson who made a spectacle of himself before, during, and after TUF 10?
Or did you forget Jackson’s episode of road rampage after he got his a$$ kicked by Forrest Griffin?
If you’re referring to his fight with Thiago Silva, it was in fact Silva busting out histrionics and a mean mug for the crowd. Evans was the one putting Silva’s a$$ on the mat for the first 10 minutes and thereby winning the fight.
I guess I can see where you’d get confused.
Third, Rua gets a rematch with Machida because Dana White SAID SO. Thats all you need to know as a UFC fan. If you want to buy the PPV or attend the show, great. If not, I’m pretty sure Zuffa will scrape by without your $50.
You should also consider the timeframe issue with Evans fighting first Rampage, then Silva, and somehow he’s supposed to squeeze the undefeated 205 champion in there?
Doesn’t that sound a tad unrealistic, even by YOUR “standards”?
Also, if you’ve seen Machida-Rua 1, or visited this or any other respectable MMA site since they fought, you’d understand why an immediate re-match was ordered and signed.
Fourth, as to why Anderson Silva wasn’t signed to fight Lyoto Machida, I’ll just assume you’ve missed the hundreds of MMA articles posted about Machida and Silva being friends, training together at BlackHouse, and Silva’s OWN REPEATED STATEMENTS about how he won’t fight his friend Machida.
Finally, I’ll leave you with the reminder that the frenZy is a big boy site, and not a fan boy site. We discuss MMA issues here with FACTS. The poster should perform his due diligence before posting his POV, and not just bang away at his keyboard with half-baked notions and unsupported positions…
here here Jchol!
true that! there is no point us all deligating what is going to happen, wrestling this, striking that, veteran or not let’s just all hope in unison that these guys stay fit! that’s all i want, a healthy jackon vs a healthy evans…
jackson*
Sidders don’t you mean deliberating rather than deligating.
Anyhow it’s about time these 2 fighters got into the cage and fought. The only issue i may have is with the fact that Evans is in Rampage’s head and seeing as he’s not the cleverest of fighters this could work against him. Being involved with betting myself the lines will have Rampage as slight favourite and i don’t see too much wrong with that myself.
I think rampage just plain hates rashad. IMO Rampage is one of the most “mentally strong” fighters in mma when it comes to actually fighting and when the actually moment to step in the cage arrives.
Examples:
Title fight against Lidell
Rampage had only one fight inside the octagon and then was immediately given a title shot against the “unbeatable” lidell. Imagine the pressure that was on him. In the end all he needed was one swing and the fight was over.
3rd Fight vs wanderlei
After getting super duper ktfo by wanderlei, twice…rampage was coming off a loss and about to fight a guy he hated and who pretty much owned him. this was rampages most emotional match to date and he even stated “this match isn’t for a title or for anything like that, it’s about honor”. Again…all he needed was one swing and the fight was over.
Unfortunately for “sugar”, Rampage will surely come back strong and come back more than ready to fight, but happy to fight a guy he hates and can’t wait to knock out because he knows he can knock him out.
Rampage was in there with the Legend Hendo, and still got the W. I don’t think there’s ANYTHING “sugar” can do to rampage that rampage hasn’t overcome, or that rampage wont be ready for. He will be forced to trade, and well we all know what’s going to happen. Rampages power in BOTH hands is unmatchable @ 205 and with one punch, he’s going to send rashad to 185.
Just playing Devil’s advocate here, but where was Jackson’s mental strength after he lost to Forrest Griffin, and when he waved off his signed fight with Rashad Evans?
And WTF was up with that stuff he posted online?
And as an FYI, I think that Jackson would throw Evans a serious beating if the fight ever happens. Its not Jackson’s skills I question, its his ongoing mental and emotional well-being…
EVANS HAS A WEAK CHIN, EVERYONE ON HERE KNOWS RAMPAGE HAS THE BEST STAND UP! BUT I HAVE TO GIVE EVANS A SMALL EDGE IN THE WRESTLING. BUT RAMPAGE WILL WIN BY A 2ND ROUND KO! HE WILL ACTUALLY FINISH HIM OFF UNLIKE THIAGO SILVA
At least we know the caps lock on your keyboard works…
Anyone know why Evans didn’t want to just sit on the waitlist for the next title shot rather than giving this one up for a grudge? I’m not sure it was an option, but if I was Rashad’s management, that would be my petition to Dana and Joe Silva.
“Rampage can wait his turn, my dude earned another shot.”
I’m thinking that at the time all of this dropped, there was a 205 logjam in Joe Silva’s office, and that rather than sit idle for the better part of a year, Evans opted for TUF and the subsequent high-profile fight with Jackson…
Are you talking now or back when TUF and the Rampage fight was supposed to go down origionally?
Origionally, it made sense because he just lost to Machida and Jackson/Evans would be a contender fight.
Now though, Evans just won a contender fight. He would have to wait until like September for the fight to happen (maybe a bit more depending on injury). If he wins, he gets a shot and 2 good paydays. If he loses, he is down to like #5.
On the other hand, if he doesnt fight Jackson now and fights for the title, if he wins, he gets 2 big pay days. If he loses, he is still up for a contender fight (decent payday) and another chance. No chance to drop down to around #5. I think he also needs that time if he wants to win vs. either Machida or Rua.
To me, it just makes more UFC sense to do the latter. It leaves him in the best spot either way IMO. Also, if he loses, he gets an almost guranteed big fight when he does finally fight Jackson.
I was talking about around the time TUF 10 was being cast/filmed and then hyped.
Apologies for not making that clearer…
Wrestling Advantage: Rashad Evans
Rashad took down forest griffin quite easily by catching his leg
Rampage was outwrestled by forest
Speed Advantage: Rashad Evans
Obviously Rashad has superior speed to rampage, along with many of the other light heavyweights
Knockout Power Advantage: Debatable
Rashad knocked out liddell far worse than rampage
Rampage has a long list of knockouts of many great fighters
Submission Advantage: Rashad Evans
It is doubtful that things would come to this, but for the sake of argument Rashad now has a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu while rampage has a blue belt
Overall Advantage: Rashad Evans
Probable Outcomes: Rashad tko’s Jackson via ground-and-pound
Rashad uses his wrestling to earn unanimous
decision
Rashad KO’s jackson in second round
Knockout POWER advantage “debatable”? really?
JCOHL,
I see your point dude. I would be a fool to dismiss rampages antics after the griffin fight as anything other then “mental issues” so I agree with you. Where was his mental stability when he crashed his car and when he just dropped out of a fight with evans?
I’m not sure but it obviously wasn’t in the “right: place.
What I said is that come fight time, like the actual fight when they actually step in the cage, rampage is ALWAYS mentally ready to go.
Examples-
1.) He knocked out the raining king of 205 after just one octagon appearance with only one punch. He even taunted him during the fight.
2.) Rampage lost the title to forrest griffin, then goes on some joyride that finds him in trouble with the law. Then he’s set to fight the one man who not only killed him once, but twice. I’d say that’s more than enough reason to understand if a guy is not “mentally there” for the fight. But what ends up happening? Rampage knocks wanderlei out like no one ever has and he did with one punch.
Rampage is always ready to go when it comes to fighting.
Is he mentally stable and in control of himself outside of the cage? Obviously not. Is he the most well put together “man” out there? Hell no. But, that seems to have minimal(if any) effect on him come fight time.
I guess we’ll see.
To your opening comment, Rashad KO’d chuck as well and TKO’d Griffin. Griffin UD’d Jackson in a close fight. I would respect either opinion that Evans or Jackson has the edge there so, to me, it is debatable.
To your first point, Chuck had serious flaws in his standup. It was just a matter of time before someone capatialized on them and Jackson just happened to be the one. He has since eaten L’s from Jardine, Evans, and Rua, so his record since Rampage is 1-4.
To your second point, Silva is not exactly bulletproof and is 1-3 in the UFC and 1-5 on his last 6. His last win before Jardine was in 2006.
I dont wholly disagree with you Jazz, I’m just saying its not a landslide either way.
This is directed towards DIGYOUROWNHOLE’s comment. To say chuck had serious flaws in his standup is ridiculous. Jackson never fought chuck in his prime. Their first fight was in his early days when he was getting beat by couture and jeremy horn. Their second fight was the beginning of chucks downfall. It is very obvious that chuck was not at his best in that fight. He was not mentally prepared and he was not playing his game. I suspect if jackson had fought chuck a year or so earlier things would have ended differently. Also chucks fight against jardine was a joke as well. chuck obviously overlooked him and didnt give a shit about that fight. the fight with rua was cut short due the fact chuck did not have the chin he used to and therefore fell victim to a leaping left hook. he was doing very good in that fight and even managed take rua down. as for evans, that punch would have knocked out anybody but it was past chucks prime as well. it is a mistake to think a bunch of superior fighters all of the sudden got the best of chuck, he simply was past his prime.
Its amazing to me that people still think forrest actually won that fight. Ive seen through literally 8 times because I am quite a rampage fan(when it comes to mma… and his truck)and Griffen DOES NOT win that fight. But let’s just look at wins, Jackson’s only UFC loss comes from a toss up for the sake of arguement. Aside from Lyoto, rashads UFC opponents aren’t on the level of Rampage Jackson. Rashad hasnt had Hendo yet, I think that would be a test for him, wasn’t really for Rampage. Knockouts, if your counting then ok, Rashad? But hes done salmon, jason lambert and forrest. If you dont think rampage would run through the first two in the first round then you haven’t watched enough of his fights. Yes he lost by decision to Forrest but how many times was he close to ending the fight? These two categories are the only two that are worth comparing for me. Emotions and shit? The reason these guys are such great fighters is because thats what they love to do, comparing emotions in mma is a joke. Think about it. Game plans and training? Don’t be fooled by the fact that Rashad has good trainers. Does that make him unbeatable? Clearly not, Machida proves my point. Rampage has a ton of great fighters that he will and has trained with just as Rashad does so that to me is also another thing that isn’t worth mentioning.
For me what it will come down to during this fight is the boxing. Rampage has a great base and takedowns on him by Rashad will be very tough to do. If you have been following UFC and watching all his fights, and have a understanding and appreciation for boxing, you would have to agree that Rampage Jackson’s boxing is some of the best in the organization, even if you dont like him. Rashad has knockout power, but his knockouts have DEFINITELY been wild swings minus the leg kick where he caught sean salmon sleeping. Thats all fair however I find it hard to believe that Rashad can catch Rampage in the same way.
How many times have we all anaylzed/overanaylzed a fight a it turn completely the other way. For example, who would of thought Gsp would of got tko by Serra. Many thought includin my self thought that if he had a chance it was with a sub. So jus stop bickerin over who the better fighter now cause no one is right. Lets do what normal fans and jus hope that it’s a great fight worth 50 dollars. How many times have we been so hyped for a fight and it not live up to it. GSP VS BJ 2 for example. The most exciting part of the fight came afterward with the allege grease gate scandel. Whos the better srtiker,wrestler,level headed fighter. Not even PAGE and Evans know for sure until that night.
MY prediction Page by TKO/KO