Rashad's Speed Will Be Too Much For Rampage at UFC 113

The stage is set for scores to be settled and for mouths to be shut after Rashad Evans earned an unanimous decision over visibly frustrated and winded Thiago Silva at last Saturday’s UFC 108.  Add Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s desire to complete his contractual agreements with the UFC and his yearning to “shut both Dana White and Evans’ mouths,” you have the ingredients necessary for a convulsive concoction of two animated fighters looking to prove their dominance over each other.

With the bout tentatively scheduled for May 1st at UFC 113 in Montreal, Quebec, masterful MMA strategist Greg Jackson has already started to map out a blueprint for Evan’s success against fellow former light-heavyweight champion, Quinton Jackson.

“Without getting too specific, Quinton has some very good assets including punching power.  Plus his wrestling is good,” Jackson told the Sherdog Radio Network's “Savage Dog Show” on Wednesday. “But where Rashad's (strength) really lies is speed.  Rashad is so amazingly quick.  It's one of those things where he looks quick but when he really gets going he's really fast. It's hard to keep track of where he is. Speed, among other things, is going to play a large factor in this fight coming up.”

A prospective clash between the two opposing Ultimate Fighter 10 coaches has finally come to fruition. 

The two were set to conclude Season 10 in customary fashion by headlining UFC 107 in Rampage’s home-town of Memphis until the Tennessee native opted out of the bout in exchange for reprising B.A. Baracus in the new remake of the A-Team.

Rampage’s abandonment caused a fiery of unfortunate events.  His personal and professional relationship with UFC president Dana White crumbled in front of the eyes of the media.  From day to day fight fans could search any MMA website to find headlines covering the ricocheting war of words between boss and employee.

But once the smoke settled, things started to calm down.  Rashad prepared for a new opponent in Thiago Silva, Rampage started wrapping up his acting duties and Dana White began hinting towards the possibility of Evans vs. Jackson in the near future.

The match-up was originally slated as the climatic conclusion between two coaches that spent the entirety of most episodes verbally pestering each other.  These verbal spats typically ended with Evans or Rampage fuming and proclaiming their eagerness to throw down in the octagon.

Evans’ lead coach and trainer, Greg Jackson, explained to Sherdog that despite the authenticity of the disputes, Rashad never held any vicious feelings towards Rampage.

“I think it's all real,” he said. “I wouldn't call it hate. I don't think Rashad hates anybody. He's too nice of a guy to hate someone. You'd have to ask him more about that, I guess, but when I was there they were just talking noise at each other and Rashad is a really funny guy, so is Quinton.  So I think they would start teasing each other, then they would cross the line and get their feelings hurt only to go back to do it all over again. I'm sure on Quinton's end he's pretty upset. I think that's why he said he's coming back.  I think Rashad was just having a lot of fun. I know he doesn't hate him.”

Personal vendettas aside, the anticipated match-up in Montreal bears consequences for the victor with the possibility of a title shot. 

Assuming current light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida defeats Maurico “Shogun” Rua for the second consecutive time on the same card, Rashad would not only get another opportunity to regain the title but he would be able to avenge a devastating knockout loss suffered at the hands of the current champ.

On the other side of the coin, a Rampage win and potential shot at the title, he once possessed, would shine light on the fighter-turned-actor’s future in the UFC. 

His bout with Evans (14-1) is the last on his current contract and he has outlined plans on his website to maintain a very minimal fighting schedule in order to pursue additional acting opportunities. 

Time will tell if a title shot would be enticing enough for the 31-year old Rampage (30-7, 5-1 UFC) to extend his contract with the UFC. 

In all reality, regardless of the reception the new A-Team remake receives, Rampage is no Sydney Poitier and he is far from the youngest competitor on the UFC’s roster.  Smart money would have Rampage adapting his acting schedule around his bread and butter, his MMA career.

This scenario is all hypothetical assuming he can overcome the phenomenon that is ring-rust and defeat Rashad, who is fresh off a victory over Thiago Silva.  Ring-rust is not the only element Rampage has to contend with leading up to his bout with Evans.  There are also the media distractions from his feud with Dana White and the difficulties of balancing an acting career with fighting, which can garner undesirable results, just ask Roger Huerta. 

As with every fight, the outcome is not in the hands of just one fighter.  The chemistry in the octagon is determined by both participants.

With that said, there is a sufficient observation to add to the Evans vs. Jackson equation after UFC 108--Rashad’s newfound love for his wrestling roots which makes him a championship caliber fighter. 

If he can resist the urge to stand and trade with heavy-handed Rampage and avoids putting his chin on platter for a countering left hook, Evans should be able to control the pace and impose his game plan with his speed and athletic ability.

Regardless if we see Machida vs. Evans 2 or Shogun vs. Evans, Quinton Jackson’s red-carpet aspirations could be realized sooner than he thinks--at the close of UFC 113 in Montreal.