Rashad and Rampage in Sydney
After a heated season of TUF and a long hiatus from fighting, Rampage Jackson is back and looking to “beat the brakes” off Rashad Evans. They faced off briefly in Sydney last week as each fighter was there to support their team mate, Bisping for Rampage and Jardine for Rashad, both of whom lost that night.
Here’s a quote from Rampage’s Twitter:
I’m knocking Rashad out May 29th!! It’s on!!
This has not been officially announced by the UFC yet but all other sources confirm this date for UFC 114. This fight is the main event of a decent (if not stellar) card, including Forrest Griffin vs Little Nog, Diego Sanchez’s return to 170 and coincidentally the UFC debut of Cyrille Diabate.
So who are you supporting folks? and how do you see this fight playing out?
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Amber
eric
capt.ADK'er
Yael Grauer
itzFORT
Singh is King
Fizzlesticks
WTFH
Studog
rashad didnt look to good against thiago,im saying rampage second round ko
I’m going with Rampage too, for one, he’s stronger than Rashad and hes got a better chin. I’m thinking that they both land during an exchange and Rashad’s chin doesnt hold up. Rashad has the speed though, so he might be able to tag Rampage without getting hit, especially considering his ring rust.
Thats what makes this a good fight, anything could happen.
Rich hit it dead on – Page round 2 KO – Rashad is too small, too weak, his chin is too “glassy” – If Thiago almost finished him… injured…. with NO CARDIO .. OMG Page is gonna run through him… Page has as good or better wrestling positioning, he’s got the strength… what DOES Rashad have?
oh yeah…. a highlight reel KO of an aged Chuck Liddell…
Kansas, what Rashad has going for him is basically speed. If both guys were active and at 100% I think it would be easier to pick Rampage in this fight, but like Yael said, Rashad is in his head, then there’s the ring rust plus Rashad is motivated to avenge his boy Jardine who Rampage beat in his last fight.
There’s a lot of factors besides just who’s the better fighter which is what makes this fight exciting.
Rashad is totally in his head, though. And he knocked out Forest Griffin. I think he has a good shot.
“but like Yael said, Rashad is in his head” — No he’s not, it’s a back and forth, I think Rashad is the one who is scared.. he almost got KO’ed AGAIN recently..
About his KO of Forrest Griffing .. lol .. yeah Jardine Ko’ed Forrest Griffin, and Anderson Silva made him look like “special olympics Forrest” .. so what? I disagree, Page has this fight hook line and sinker, if he comes in 100% A Game, and I think he will, it’s over.
Yeah your right Kansas, it IS a back and forth but I think Rampage is more susceptible to the psychological warfare than Rashad, like his breakdown after his loss to Forrest. Rampage is great at dishing it out, but I don’t think he can take it.
Hopefully he looks at this fight like his last fight with Wand, no emotion, all business and Knocks Rashad out.
Rampage was “fasting” but trying to keep his energy levels up to be “functional” … it was a novis mistake – his Church probably promoted a prayer and fasting campaign and he wanted to be faithful but at the same time didn’t want to sit still and pray and just tone it down, so he became delusional because of what he did.
The whole “I lost my title and freaked out” thing was what he was told to say by Dana and co – psychological – which in turn helped get him out of much bigger charges and possibly a long jail time and ban on international travel.
I think Page is much stronger in the head than folks think, and his win over Wand really has solidified his confidence .. Rashad, I think he knows in his own mind that he almost got Ko’ed again, and that will be on his mind when fighting Page, page can neutralize the takedown, so what will Rashad do then, “throw them hands”? Okay and when page counters with 20-30% more power what then? .. sorry but my argument is about as solid as they get, IMO ;)
I think Rampage is too big and strong for Rashad. In addition, Rampage is known for having a great chin and could probably withstand much more punishment to it than Rashad could from Rampage.
Rashad and Greg Jackson better be working on the gameplan of their lives.
It will definately take a FAR superior strategy to help Rashad on this one, Greg’s camp has been falling behind lately, in a bad way.
Shad should enlist the KING of strategy – RANDY COUTURE – to help him prep….he WON’T but he SHOULD..
I think Rashad should focus on transitioning from strikes to takedowns and top control. Not because Rashad is a better wrestler than Rampage, but because of his speed. He might learn a few new tricks to distract Rampage so he can land those quick TDs. That scores big points with the judges and keeps him out of danger.
I think he should train with GSP, but maybe if he did it might give away the gameplan hehe.
Regarding training with GSP – I think your right, the only thing GSP has that would be invaluable in a fight like that you nailed on the head, unless of course… he’s practicing his victory back flip… ..
After reading all these comments, I officially change my pick.
Rashad rd.1 (nipple tweak)
Amir, the magical benefits of the nipple tweak have been debunked. Seems to be bad luck whenever it happens these days.
Maybe Rashad should try tweaking Rampages nipples instead LOL.
It’s been CONFIRMED – Wand V Akiyama UFC 115 – (just not in English yet) – June 20th – Vancouver
http://wp.clicrbs.com.br/nomundodaslutas/2010/03/02/wanderlei-silva-de-volta-no-ufc-115/?topo=77,2,18,,,77
Well I see this fight going one of two ways:
a) Rashad- nurples Rampage’s nipples for the tap
b) Rampage- Rd.2 via decapitation (a la Wandi style)
I am going with “B” – sounds more likely – you forgot “C”
c) Rashad tickles Rampage into peeing on himself after a quick takedown, Rampage gets DQ’ed and fined, and is compared to King Mo who spit “Rockstar” (which is essentually, canned pee) in the cage ….
That might happen… really …
Rashad is skilled and he understands what he NEEDS to do. He is quick with a glass chin. Hes a got good take downs, but cant stay ontop of his opponent long after the first round. Rashad can hold his own, he got a good game plans, but when he gets hit by rampage standing up or on the ground everything goes out the door!
rampage in ending of the first round.
I call Rashad at the end of the second. Should be a good fight!
Of course you do Yael.. of course lol
Can you give your depth of wisdom on why a smaller weaker chinned version of Jackson would beat the granite chinned, much larger version of Jackson?
Because Rampage is mentally weak and cracks under pressure.
Ali, I think your pretty spot on in your assessment. Not thorough but very accurate in the ending of the fight.
War Rampage!