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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
When Quinton "Rampage" Jackson steps back into the Octagon this Saturday in Las Vegas at UFC 114, it will have been nearly 450 days since his last fight.
But Jackson doesn't see the layoff as a negative. Quite the opposite, in fact. After hurting his jaw before his third fight with Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92, Jackson took the fight with Keith Jardine at UFC 96 with the jaw still not 100%. That jaw injury is what kept him from facing Rashad Evans for the Title at UFC 98.
Now, Jackson says he's healed up and ready for this fight.
"Me taking time off proved to be very good for my body," said Rampage recently. "It's no secret I sustained a couple of injuries from taking a couple of fights back to back. This camp went perfect, [and] right now my jaw is healed up... I'm glad I took the time off, I needed it."
In addition to the injuries that piled up, Jackson delayed this fight by taking a part in the A-Team movie. Jackson said the part of B.A. Baracus was a dream for him to play, but he hasn't thought about the movie since filming finished in December.
"I all ready forgot I did a damn movie. It's got nothing to do with this fight," Jackson said. "The movie’s been done with a long time ago and I’ve been training ever since I got off the damn set. I don’t even think about the movie no more. I’m thinking about this fight."
The Primetime series has shown a motivated Rampage kicking into gear the closer they get to the fight, and Rampage continues to say he's in his best shape for this fight.
"For this fight I trained harder than for any other fight," he said. "I pushed myself to the limit [and] I'm very proud of myself. I'm not known to be a guy that's good in the gym. This time I've been very good in the gym."
As for what happens after this fight, Dana White has said the winner gets the first shot at Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. But, for Rampage, there's no guarantee the allure of Hollywood won't pull him away from the UFC again.
"It was my dream to be affiliated with the A-Team," said Jackson. "I ain't never lied about the reasons I do what I do. I fight to make money… wherever I'm going to make the most money is where I'm going to be at."
Penick's Analysis: I can't wait to see this week's Primetime episode to see if Rampage has slimmed down even further from the last couple of shows. If he's in the best shape he can be right now as he continues to say, then I really see Rashad being in for a long night. Rampage hasn't always been the most motivated fighter, and he has performed differently throughout his career depending on who is across the ring or cage from him. When it comes to Rashad, there's a clear distaste for his opponent that may rival his feelings towards Wanderlei Silva into their third fight. The big difference is his complete lack of respect for Rashad, whereas he had a deep seeded desire to avenge two losses to Silva from Pride. This fight on Saturday is going to be big, and hopefully we see the best Rampage possible.
RELATED STORY: UFC QUOTABLES: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson - "Don't go crazy and bet money on Rashad. Don't do that to yourself.": [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
[Quinton Jackson art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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