UFC on Fox: Power Ranking Rampage Jackson's Best UFC Performances
Saturday night, Quinton Jackson quite possibly makes his last appearance in a UFC Octagon ever. He will meet rising 205er Glover Teixeira in a fight that is huge for both men.
Jackson has had a Hall of Fame career due to this time in Pride and early work with the UFC. He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, a feat which he achieved in the height of his popularity with the world's largest MMA organization.
Here are the five best UFC performances of his career.
No. 5: Defeats Keith Jardine at UFC 96
1 of 5UFC 96 hosted a main event between Quinton Jackson and Keith Jardine, teammate of Jackson's rival Rashad Evans. Jardine is a notorious brawler, which promised fireworks with the always-tough Jackson
Just that happened. Jackson and Jardine stood in the pocket for a majority of the fight and swung fists with the intent of knocking each other's heads off.
Jackson got the best of his foe, as he would walk away with a clear-cut unanimous decision. For their efforts, both Jackson and Jardine earned a Fight of the Night bonus check.
No. 4: Def. Marvin Eastman at UFC 67
2 of 5UFC 67 marked Quinton Jackson's debut with the company after the end of Pride and a short stint with WFA. Jackson's opponent was a man who defeated him early on in his career, Marvin Eastman.
Eastman was a tough opponent, but Jackson was on another level with his boxing. After rocking him a couple times in the fight, Jackson would knock Eastman out cold with some brutal strikes.
It was a win that put him into position for a main event title shot against "The Iceman," which will appear on this list shortly.
No. 3: Defeats Dan Henderson at UFC 75
3 of 5Quinton Jackson was the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion going into UFC 75 when he took on fellow Pride alum Dan Henderson. The fight was to unite the UFC and Pride titles in their shared weight class.
The fight was a war. It saw great takedowns by Jackson, awesome striking exchanges and a workmanlike pace from both men.
When it was all said and done, Jackson walked away with a close decision win. It may be one of his best victories to date and crowning achievements.
No. 2: Defeats Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92
4 of 5They say revenge is a dish best served cold. If that's the case, than Quinton Jackson's counter left hook on Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92 was sub-zero.
After falling twice to "The Axe Murderer" in Pride, Jackson got another crack at his arch rival at UFC 92. Even though Silva was past his prime, he was still a dangerous opponent that could easily strike for a third time.
That third time did not come, as Jackson connected with a nuke of a left hook. Some unnecessary follow-up punches later and he was crowned the winner.
That was probably one of the best feelings Jackson could have felt.
No. 1: Defeats Chuck Liddell at UFC 71
5 of 5Speaking of revenge, Chuck Liddell was looking for some of his own at UFC 71 when he put his light heavyweight title on the line against Quinton Jackson.
The first two met in Pride earlier in their careers. Liddell would fall to Jackson in a tough fight, leading to this important rematch.ย
Jackson didn't need long before he clipped Liddell with a nasty right hand on the button. He nailed some follow ups on the ground and effectively won the belt.
It is the best achievement in his career.
