Rampage talks fighting styles, PRIDE and his return to Japan
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is thrilled to have a place on February’s UFC Japan show at the Saitama Super Arena.
Jackson made his name during the heyday of PRIDE, using his trademark slams to capture the imagination of local Japanese MMA fans. Immediately after losing a light heavyweight title fight to Jon Jones in September, Jackson began campaigning for a spot on the card, and only secured his co-main event bout with Ryan Bader after raising hell with the UFC office.
Jackson explained his reasoning for wanting a spot on the UFC Japan card during a press conference on Monday morning in Tokyo.
“Back when I was fighting here, I had so much energy. I just wanted to put on a good show for the fans because all the energy they give. In America, you’re under so much pressure to win at all costs because the fans talk s**t to you if you lose even if it’s a good, exciting fight. In Japan, it’s just a different energy. Who knows? Maybe I’ll take more chances and not care because it’s all about the crowd. I react to the crowd. I don’t care about the people watching on TV.”
Jackson also took the time to compare his current fighting style to the one that made him famous in PRIDE.
“In Japan, I used to slam a lot and put on show because the energy from the fans gave me power and I don’t feel the same energy in the US. So, I can’t honestly say I improved or evolved in a good way since leaving Japan. I’m all about putting on an exciting fight in Japan. One thing I love about Japanese fans and why I love them the most is that they don’t care if you win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That’s why Japanese fans are my favorite. And American fans are jealous that I say that all the time.”
