Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson fights Matt Hamill tonight at UFC 130. With a win, he could emerge as the division’s number one contender and earn a title shot against 205-pound champion Jon Jones later this year. Let’s look at Jackson’s most memorable moments -- good and bad -- that got him in this position.
Rampage Jackson’s Worst Fights, A Top Five List
Quinton Jackson vs Wanderlei Silva 2
Pride 28: “High Octane”
Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
October 31, 2004
After reeling off a couple of wins, including his famous power bombing of Ricardo Arona, Jackson found himself back in the ring with Wanderlei Silva. This time Silva’s Pride Middleweight (205lbs) Championship was on the line. Jackson started the fight off on the right foot by doing well in the early exchanges getting a take down and even dropping Silva with a right hand. Rampage ended the round in side control raining down knees and punches to Silva’s head. Unfortunately for Jackson, the round ended before he could finish the champ. In the second round Jackson managed to take Silva down again, but couldn’t do much from top position. When Wanderlei got up he hurt Rampage with a right hook that Quinton. From there Silva followed up with a series of brutal standing knees to the face that left Jackson unconscious and falling through the ring ropes, creating an iconic MMA image that is synonymous with utter defeat.
Read Article >Rampage Jackson’s Best Fights, A Top Five List
Quinton Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona
Pride: “Critical Countdown 2004”
June 20, 2004
Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
Still reeling from the brutal (and embarrassing) loss to Wanderlei Silva, Jackson was out for blood. A comeback win over Hirotaka Yokoi wasn’t good enough. He needed more. So when he was booked to battle another Brazilian, Ricardo Arona, his road to redemption had officially been set in motion. Arona was undefeated in Pride FC competition and the only loss on an otherwise perfect record was to none other than Fedor Emelianenko. Jackson got in trouble midway through the first round, getting trapped in the guard of the dangerous submission specialist. Arona appeared to actually have the fight won, locking in a tight triangle choke. But Jackson would not be denied. In a tremendous show of strength and power, he scooped up Arona -- who was still latched around his throat -- and slammed him violently to the canvas. It was so forceful that Arona was knocked out on contact. It was a career-defining moment for Jackson. One that is still featured on highlight reel after highlight reel to this day. This “power bomb” stands the test of time.
Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva 3
UFC 92: “The Ultimate 2008”
Dec. 27, 2008
MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Silva had viciously thrashed Jackson in two previous fights, sending him crashing through the ropes in an unconscious heap with killer Muay Thai knees. There was really no need for a third match because the two previous ended so brilliantly ... and violently. But Jackson argued that things would be different. He had real training partners this time. And the “corrupt” Japanese referees weren’t conspiring against him to give Silva the edge. It took just one thundering left hook to prove his point. He hit the Brazilian so hard that he was out cold before he hit the canvas. Just how revenge is meant to be served.
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