Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has proved that he still has it ahead of his fight with Rashad Evans.
That’s according to NFL legend Shawne Merriman, who has revealed Jackson has been looking sharp in the gym as the former UFC fighter gears up for a boxing match with fellow MMA icon Evans.
In January, it was announced that Jackson would finally get the chance to exact revenge on Evans 15 years after their bout at UFC 114.
Jackson lost to Evans at UFC 114 in May 2010 and the two were rumoured to rematch for years after the fight but it never happened.
‘Rampage’ was a former title contender at PRIDE FC before joining the UFC in 2007 and becoming the promotion’s light heavyweight champion after knocking out Chuck Liddell in just his second fight.
Evans, meanwhile, is a former UFC light heavyweight champion in his own right and is idolised by several MMA fighters, including UFC’s current heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
“It’s funny because I know both of these guys well,” Merriman told Bloody Elbow.
“These guys are still in shape. I actually trained with Rampage several months ago in Long Beach with Antonio McKee (ex-UFC fighter) in his gym down there.
“I know that Rampage can still get after it, because he was sparring next to me. So, I know what he looks like now.
“Rashad has always kept his body in shape. He’s still in shape. I’ve never seen him in the ten years I’ve known him let himself go.”
Jackson’s fight with Evans will take place on April 12 at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The pair’s rivalry dates back to when they coached on season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2009, when Jackson etched his name in reality TV history after throwing a hilarious tantrum that resulted in a door being ripped to shreds.
Jackson will be hoping to replicate that anger next month, but Merriman was torn when deciding who he thinks will win the boxing clash.
“It’s gonna be tough,” he added. It’s hard for me to pick because I know both of the guys.
“But I know that when they talked about doing this they wanted to give the people a show.
“They had a podcast together, they said: ‘Hey, man, let’s put on a show together.’ I think they’re going to do just that.”
Jackson fought Evans at UFC 114 after a long negotiation during which the former threatened to retire before the pair met.
Evans got the last laugh, however, as he outwrestled ‘Rampage’ in the first two rounds of their bout before securing a unanimous decision victory after the third.
Jackson left the UFC shortly after losing his last shot at a title to Jones at UFC 135 in September 2011.
He was supposed to return to combat sports for a boxing match with former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs in June last year, but the bout never happened.
Evans, on the other hand, came out of his 2018 retirement for one last dance in January 2022.
He said that he wanted to get ‘that feeling again’ and was victorious at the age of 43 under the Eagle FC banner, which is owned by former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Where to buy UFC London tickets
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With the UFC only coming to the UK a handful of times per year, the opportunity to see MMA’s biggest stars in action can be limited.
However, this month UK-based MMA fans will have the opportunity to see the excitement live as the UFC returns to the 02 arena for UFC Fight Night 254, Edwards vs Brady.
See some of the UK’s finest as Leon Edwards, Molly McCann, Nathaniel Wood and more take to the Octagon in what’s set to be a thrilling night of fights.
To get tickets to UFC London, follow the links below.
UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady (02 Arena, 22 March)
- UFC London tickets at Ticketmaster, from £308.40 – buy here
- UFC London tickets at Vivid Seats, from £316 – buy here
- UFC London tickets at Stubhub, from £181 – buy here
- UFC London tickets at Viagogo, from £209 – buy here
For fans looking for an unrivalled Fight Night experience, Seat Unique offers UFC London hospitality packages complete with floor-level seating, UFC athlete appearances, post-fight Octagon experiences and more.
Get your UFC London hospitality tickets below.
UFC London hospitality tickets (02 Arena, 22 March)
- UFC London hospitality at Seat Unique, from £4,599 – buy here
