Rashad Evans vs. Rampage Jackson: An Epic Battle for Supremacy

May 23, 2009. UFC 98 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The card that was set to feature the two best heavyweights in the UFC fighting for supremacy, will now pit the light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Now, before you go on into my article, I must warn you, this fight is NOT set in stone just yet. Rampage must first consult a doctor, being that only two months will pass before the fight. Then, after consulting a doctor, he must accept the fight.

Now, I have no doubt in my mind that Rampage wants the fight, but if the doctor recommends he decline the title shot, Lyoto Machida has already verbally accepted the bout.

Now that all of that is out of the way, get excited. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is arguably the most popular fighter in the UFC right now. His merchandise is a cash cow for the UFC, and the fans absolutely love his intensity and realness. He knows he is the best, yet he isn't arrogant.

On the other hand, there is "Sugar" Rashad Evans. Rashad is a personal favorite, but he has definitely built a somewhat sketchy relationship with the fans—some love him, some hate him.

His cockiness and in-ring showboating tend to poke the buttons of fans, while his undeniable skill brings those fans back. No doubt he talks the talk, but this man can certainly walk the walk.

This brings us to a fight that is, no doubt, the headline of any UFC card the organization can put together. Two respected and ridiculously talented fighters, with pretty much the same style, must now face off.

If that doesn't get you pumped, hopefully I can up your excitement.

Since coming over from PRIDE, Rampage Jackson has compiled a record of five wins and one loss. He has earned two "Fight of the Night" awards in bouts against Forrest Griffin and Keith Jardine, as well as two "KO of the Night" awards for his vicious knockouts of Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva.

The guy is a human highlight reel. That is what makes him so beloved by the fans. Oh, and he has a pretty good personality as well.

This howling henchman has compiled a career record of 30 victories and just seven losses. Adding to his award column, the man is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and unified that title with the PRIDE middleweight title in a dominant fashion against Dan Henderson.

But wait, there are STILL trophies on the shelf.

Twice the man has been involved in the Wrestling Observer fight of the year. One in 2004 against Wanderlei Silva, as well as winning the 2008 fight of the year for his controversial bout against Forrest Griffin.

Get this, he lost both of those fights. Why is that so special? Because even in defeat, this guy puts on a show. Oh, he also won Most Outstanding Fighter in 2007.

Now, Rashad Evans may not be as decorated a fighter as Rampage, but don't worry, he's pretty good too. He first came to UFC fans via the second season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Though he now competes, and rules, in the light heavyweight division, Rashad competed with the heavyweights.

He earned a lot of backlash from viewers and even opposing coach Matt Hughes for his in-ring showboating (something we now expect to see from Rashad), but his skill was undeniable. He'd nab the decision victory and move on to the next round against Mike Whitehead.

He'd earn another decision victory their, as well as a decision win over current training partner Keith Jardine.

The 5'11'' Evans would give up eight inches to finale opponent Brad Imes, but that disadvantage would not be enough to stop him. Rashad was able to stand with Brad, even knocking him down, and grab a split decision to win TUF 2. Since then, Rashad has not lost.

He currently boasts an undefeated record of 13-0-1 with eight of those wins in the octagon.

He has defeated fighters like Mike Bisping, Chuck Liddell, and Forrest Griffin—even knocking out the last two. His head kick to Sean Salon has been replayed millions of times by the UFC, and his devastating right hand to Chuck Liddell will probably be subject to the same fate.

Just like Rampage, the man is a highlight reel, but unlike Rampage, Rashad has never tasted defeat.

Many believed Rashad would be a gatekeeper, much like good friend Keith Jardine. Many believed Rashad was a sheep in wolf's clothing, just gnawing at the hand fed carcases given to him by his owner.

Then Rashad was thrown into the wild to fend for himself against the kings of the jungle. Surprisingly, he would stay alive, even when pitted against the most dangerous of foes. The sheep, was indeed a wolf.

But could this wolf topple a fellow wolf? A wolf who howls while the surrounding animal kingdom. A wolf that knows what it is like to be outmatched. A wolf who has fought his way to the top of the mountain, only to fall back to the ground.

That wolf wants to be back on top. That wolf has left its young in order to go the WolfsLair and make itself better. That wolf has killed a member of the other wolf's pack.

What happens when two wolves fight? I have no idea. You have no idea. But I bet that you are thinking the same thing as I am.