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May 29 is soon upon us, and with it comes the conclusion of season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter. After a series of untimely delays, “Sugar” Rashad Evans will at last get his opportunity to send a wrecking ball through Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s movie-star ego—much the way TUF Season 9 concluded when Dan Henderson blasted loudmouth Brit Michael Bisping senseless.
Unmanufactured grudge matches are rare in this sport. But this Saturday we're going to see serious contempt in its realest form.
When Rampage backed out his Dec 12 hometown fight for the A-Team movie, most were sure the loss of momentum would spoil PPV numbers.
However, since their hatred was so sincere, promotional material was enjoyably bountiful.
It’s still birthing footage right now. Even a simple press-conference call escalates into a sibling shouting-match.
With the help of the almighty UFC marketing machine, they were able to encapsulate the essence of Evans' and Jackson’s competitive disdain in the form of a three part UFC: Primetime, and supplementary UFC Countdown.
Getting rare attention from sports media behemoth ESPN, Dana White appeared on ESPN’s First Take and with highly revered ESPN blogger Bill Simmons on “The B.S. Report”.
Whatever happens when Rampage trades leather with Rashad, the UFC sure did its best to ensure there were scores of witnesses. Dana’s crossing his fingers for the 850K mark.
This fight has huge potential, but it's targeting a different demographic than normal, so any estimation is just that: an estimation.
There are more uncertainties as well.
Who’s going to suffer an undignified and sobering defeat?
On the surface, they seem like mirror images of each other: both athletically strapping, heavy-handed wrestlers.
Some say the mean-mugging Rampage has more raw power, the self-assured ‘Sugar’ more innate speed.
Yet technical or athletic superiority aside, are there more telling extenuating circumstances?
It will be over a year since Jackson has last fought. He’s been busy acting as B.A. Baracus for the new A-Team motion picture. So much so that it begs the question: Assuming A-Team’s box office success, would Rampage rather be memorizing a script, or knocking guys silly?
The questions don’t end there.
Where does Rampage’s passion lie?
More importantly, will Jackson’s ring-rust give Evans any edge?
Only a 0.05% chance if you ask Rampage. But still, by his own admission it’s a legitimate concern.
In a fight where nearly every mark is identical, every little edge counts.
Career juggling at this level hasn’t been done before. Despite Rampage being restricted to novice acting experience, the A-Team is a major production. No UFC fighter has been featured on a movie of this magnitude.
This Saturday Rampage’s success or failure will give his peers a roadmap—to follow, or avoid.
Rashad says Quinton quit on his team during TUF 10. He quit on his hometown Memphis fans.
If defeated during the fight yet victorious in Hollywood, will he quit one of his careers after this fight?
If so, which career?
Saturday means more than just a payday for Rampage. At last, he’ll have someone standing in his way…
What will happen when their unchecked aggression is finally unleashed on one another? Who will have barked more than they bit? Who will leave feared and revered, the other the epitome of mortification?
If you’re like me, Saturday night’s main event couldn’t come any sooner. These questions mustn’t go unanswered.
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