In the world of fight sport you rarely are privy to a trilogy where the first two fights have gone in one direction. But fans will see just that at UFC 92 this Saturday when Quinton Jackson takes on Wanderlei Silva in their third bout face-to-face. While the first two fights went decidedly in the direction of Silva, Jackson thinks Silva will have his hands full on Saturday.
Not only did Jackson (27-8) say he’s a different fighter for his third bout with Silva (32-8-1) but The Memphis native believes viewers should also consider the circumstances behind the first two defeats.
“Honestly, the first time I fought him I had to fight Chuck (Liddell) the same night and that would be hard for anybody,” said Jackson. “The second time I fought him I probably should’ve backed out of the fight considering what was going on with me but I still took the fight. This time I’m in better shape. I’m more mature and quite frankly back in those days I really sucked. I’m a better fighter now.”
Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com
"Rampage" is hoping that the
third time's a charm with
Wanderlei Silva (above).
While Jackson refused to go into detail about what’s transpired since the incident, he offered a more definitive statement addressing whether or not it’ll be a distraction come fight time.
“What’s going to happen is going to happen,” Jackson said. “There’s no sense in worrying about it. All I have to do is go in there and train hard and fight my fight. I don’t have to worry about what’s going on outside the Octagon or whatever. I always have something going on -- I just usually don’t talk about it whether it’s relationship problems, kid problems or whatever. It’s not hard to focus at all. I have to deal with Wanderlei, then after that I have to focus on other things. One at a time.”
After the fight with Griffin, Jackson also changed fight camps. Going from Big Bear to the Wolfslair Academy in Widnes, England, Jackson has spent his entire training camp abroad. So far the change has gone well for a fighter renowned for complaining during training.
“It’s a lot better,” Jackson said. “I didn’t b-tch and moan that much this time. How can I b-tch and moan after my last performance? It lit a fire under my a-- and made me want to work harder. No one had to push me that much this time. I was self-motivated. You guys don’t understand. The last fight I blamed on myself because I didn’t prepare enough. I didn’t take Forrest lightly. But I didn’t train as hard as I should’ve and I learned from that. I’m pushing myself now. I’m taking supplements and being serious about that. I’m doing all sorts of new things. I’m eating right. My nutrition is good. I’m acting like a professional athlete.”
Even with the big changes, Jackson knows only one guy will be stepping into the Octagon.
“The coaches don’t fight for you, do they,” said Jackson. “I still have to be the one to go out there and fight. All my coaches didn’t change. I’ve trained with these people before. I knew them so I went to the UK and worked my butt off doing new things I haven’t done before and I think it’s good for me. We’ll see on Saturday. I think I’m in excellent shape. I think that I can really do a good job.”
And what would be a really good job for Rampage?
“I walk out there and I knock him the hell out,” said Jackson. “One punch knockout. Walk out the cage without even doing an interview and go have me a few beers that night. That’s the perfect night.”