Written by Nick Halili | DUB Magazine | June 23, 2009
"I'm getting that belt back! Think about it, know it, see it! Rampage gettin' his belt back!" These were the words that former UFC light-heavyweight king Quinton "Rampage" Jackson uttered to the current champ,"Sugar" Rashad Evans at UFC 96. Rampage had just defeated Evan's teammate and friend Keith Jardine in a hard-fought battle to secure a shot at the belt he had lost last July, which resulted in an intense post-fight staredown that neither man had anticipated. But even though this moment, seen by hundreds of thousands on pay-per-view, created an immense amount of hype for a Jackson vs. Evans showdown, this fight may never happen. Rampage decided to wait for his title shot, ceding his spot in UFC 98's main event to undefeated contender Lyoto Machida. Slated for May, an Evans vs. Rampage clash would've been Jackson's third fight in five months. To give himself an opportunity to rest from the grind of training and recover from nagging injuries, Jackson instead decided to let the two undefeated fighters battle for supremacy next month at 205 lbs.
When the smoke clears, whether it is against Evans or Machida, Rampage wants the next title shot. The only question is, can the sequel live up to Jackson's first rollercoaster ride to UFC superstardom? Since DUB last spoke to him in early 2007, Rampage has gone from a fighter making his UFC debut to one of the most recognizable names in mixed-martial arts. At that time, he had not yet knocked out Chuck Liddell to win the UFC belt for the first time or avenged two of the most brutal losses in his career with a knock out victory over Wanderlei Silva. He had not yet defeated the only man to hold PRIDE Fighting Championship titles in two weight classes, Dan Henderson. Nor had he been seen on national television every week as one of the coaches for the UFC's reality TV show, The Ultimate Fighter. But the road to stardom has not been without its pitfalls. He would lose his UFC title to the perennially popular Forrest Griffin by decision, part with his long-time trainer and manager Juanito Ibarra, and encounter legal troubles resulting from a high-speed chase with authorities in Southern California. However, it is the hallmark of a true champion to overcome adversity, something that Rampage is seeking to do as he talks to DUB about his next run at the UFC light-heavyweight championship and about the changes that have occurred in his life these past two years.
DUB: What are your thoughts about your most recent victory at UFC 96 and your opponent, Keith Jardine?
Rampage: He's tough. What's tough about him is that he's awkward. He comes at weird angles. It's kind of hard to prepare for a guy like that.
DUB: After you rest and let some nagging injuries heal, when do you expect to be back in the octagon again?
Rampage: I really had my heart set on fighting on UFC 100 (in July). I might fight on UFC 101 (in August) instead, but that's cool, because UFC 101 means I'm gonna take somebody to school!
DUB: Recently, you left your former coach and started training at the United Kingdom-based Wolfslair Gym. Who have you been training with and how has it been going?
Rampage: It's going really good. Excellent coaches. Excellent training partners. (Ultimate Fighter 3 winner and UFC middleweight) Michael Bisping, (UFC heavyweight) Cheick Kongo, (UFC welterweight) Paul Kelly. We all train together. Sometimes I like to train with smaller guys for speed and bigger guys for power, but it all works out.
DUB: What is it like going to Great Britain to train as opposed to your training camps up at Big Bear, CA?
Rampage: It's different. Different is good. The people are really nice. It's really nice to be in the city instead of always being up in the mountains. I'm recognizable in the UK, but not with as many people.
DUB: Immediately after the Jardine fight, Rashad Evans came into the ring for a staredown with you that got pretty heated. How did that go down?
Rampage: I was totally shocked. Rashad and I never had beef before. I guess he was trying to hype himself up. I thought it was pretty disrespectful because that was my moment. Even though (Jardine) was his teammate, I don't think it had anything to do with him. He knows who's belt it is, and I said, "I want my belt back!" Towards the end, I got angry. That's why I walked out of there.
DUB: Who do you think is going to win the fight between Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida at UFC 98?
Rampage: I don't know. It might make for a boring fight. They both might be scared of getting their first loss. A lot's on the line. If I fought Machida, it would be a boring fight as well, because I wouldn't fight his fight.
DUB: What do you think of Rashad and Lyoto as fighters?
Rampage: I think Rashad's biggest strength is he's well rounded. I think his weakness is he hasn't been tested. I don't think he's been hit really hard yet. (Lyoto's) biggest strength is his awkward fighting style. His weakness is that he drinks his own urine!
DUB: How has becoming a star in the UFC changed your life?
Rampage: It's easier to support my family because I make more money. I got the Audi R8 since the last time you saw me. It's black. I don't even want to drive my other cars sometimes.
DUB: What's the toughest part about your increased fame?
Rampage: It's crazy. I can't even eat in restaurants anymore. That's the worse time to talk to me because I'm a germ-freak. People try to shake my hand and get autographs. I'm just really weird about that. If they wait downstairs until I'm done with my food, I'm all good.
DUB: You've had some great times, but have also gone through some struggles like the loss to Forrest and your legal troubles. How do you feel about the criticism you sometimes receive on the internet and on MMA forums because of these things?
Rampage: It doesn't matter. I don't even go on those forums so I don't know when they're talking bad about me. I don't participate in no negativity. I'm not perfect by any means, but I'm trying to be a positive role model.