UFC 130 Fight Card: Quinton Rampage Jackson's Career-Defining Moments

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is one of the most recognizable fighters in MMA today.

Inside the cage, the former UFC light heavyweight champion is known for his aggressive boxing, great wrestling defense and the willingness to stand with anyone.

Outside the cage, Jackson is known for his funny personality and filling Mr. T's shoes when he starred as B.A. Baracus in 2010's "The A-Team" movie. 

At UFC 130, Jackson will face Matt Hamill in a light heavyweight showdown. 

Jackson's fighting career is filled with many memorable moments that have brought him to this point of his career.

Here are Rampage’s career-defining moments.

Rampage Slams His Way into PRIDE

What

Rampage vs. Kazushi Sakuraba at PRIDE 15.

When

July 29, 2001.

Why

Jackson makes a big impact in his Pride debut.

Although Jackson was 10-1 before fighting Sakuraba, he had never fought on a big stage against someone as accomplished as Sakuraba.

After being taken down shortly after the bout began, Jackson was able to get back on his feet.

As Sakuraba went for multiple submission attempts, Jackson slammed him each time, almost throwing him out of the ring on a couple of occasions.

Sakuraba finally caught Jackson in a rear naked choke forcing him to tap. But that night, everyone got to see the power Jackson could possess. 

Rampage Doesn't Get Cold Feet

What

Rampage vs. Chuck Liddell 1 at Pride Final Conflict 2003.

When

November 9, 2003.

Why

Jackson proved he could compete with any top fighter.

In 2003, both Rampage and Chuck were making pushes towards a title shot in different organizations.

Chuck was becoming one of the UFC’s most dangerous fighters while Rampage was making a name for himself at PRIDE.

Liddell entered the PRIDE's 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix as the UFC's representative.

Although Liddell won his first fight in the tournament against Alistair Overeem, Jackson would get the better of him, causing his corner to throw in the towel. 

The Slam Heard Around the World

What

Rampage vs. Ricardo Aron at Pride Critical Countdown 2004.

When

June 20, 2004.

Why

It’s one of the most famous images in MMA history.

Both Rampage and Arona were making their way towards a PRIDE championship match with Wanderlei Silva.  

As the fight went to the ground, Rampage fought his way back on his feet. Arona made it difficult for Rampage, catching him with a few up-kicks to the head.

Rampage appeared to be out of it, but showed his heart.

As Arona put Rampage in a triangle, Rampage picked him up and powerbombed him.

The Arona slam is Rampage’s most famous KO.

The Wanderlei Silva Trilogy

What

Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva at Pride Final Conflict 2003, PRIDE 28 and UFC 92.

When

November 9, 2003, October 31, 2004 and December 27, 2008.

Why

Silva and Jackson fought in one of the most violent feuds in MMA history.

Bad blood, championships and violence are the things that made this feud memorable. Each fight ended with a violent KO or TKO.

Their first two fights were two of the most brutal fights in PRIDE history. Both featured back-and-forth action, with Wanderlei getting the better of Jackson—especially the second fight, which saw an unconscious Jackson falling between the ropes, bloody after Silva landed powerful knee strikes.

Their third fight took place at UFC 92. Both fighters were more cautious than their previous bouts.

After Silva missed a flurry of punches, Rampage caught him with a counter left that knocked Silva unconscious.

Their rivalry may have ended, but it will be remembered as one of the best in MMA history.

Taking the UFC Gold

What

Rampage Jackson vs. Chuck Liddell for the UFC Heavyweight Title at UFC 71.

When

May 26, 2007.

Why

Rampage defeats Chuck Liddell, capturing his first major world title.

After Chuck Liddell lost to Rampage in their first fight, he went on a seven-fight winning streak. Each fight ended by KO or TKO.

The run included Liddell winning the UFC Light Heavyweight Title from Randy Couture and defending it four times.

Liddell looked unstoppable and hoped to get revenge on Jackson after losing to him four years before.

Jackson had other plans, as he would be the one who ended up with the KO, taking just two minutes to put Liddell out.

Jackson would go on to unify the PRIDE middleweight and UFC Light Heavyweight belt when he defeated Dan Henderson in his next fight. Liddell would go on to start the downward slide of his his career. 

Rampage Unifies PRIDE and UFC Belts

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - MAY 28: UFC fighter Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson speaks to the crowd about his fight against UFC fighter Rashad Evans at UFC 114: Rampage versus Rashad at the Mandalay Bay Hotel on May 28, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty

What

Rampage vs. Dan Henderson at UFC 75.

When

September 8, 2007.

Why

Jackson showed he was truly the best light heavyweight in the world.

At the time PRIDE was purchased by the UFC, Dan Henderson was the company's light heavyweight and middleweight champion.

In a belt to unify both light heavyweight titles, Henderson met Rampage.

Both men were known for standing up with anybody, and showed no sign of changing.

The two exchanged hard shots for five rounds, with Rampage winning by decision.  

Losing the Belt

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 07: FC Light Heavyweight Mixed Martial Arts Champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson (L) and mixed martial arts fighter Forrest Griffin speak at Spike TV's 2007 'Video Game Awards' at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on December 7, 2007 in L

What

Rampage vs. Forrest Griffin at UFC 86.

When

July 5, 2008.

Why

Jackson loses the title to the Ultimate Fighter.

After the two coached on Season 7 of The Ultimate Fighter, Jackson and Griffin fought for the UFC light heavyweight title.

Jackson had Griffin hurt in the first round, nearly finishing him. But Griffin showed his heart and determination.

Griffin pushed the pace of the fight, landing many leg kicks on Rampage.

Griffin won the fight by decision, winning the light heavyweight championship.

Rampage vs. Door, Retirement and Rashad Evans

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

CONCORD, NC - MAY 30: (L-R) Actors Sharlto Copley, Jessica Biel, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Bradley Cooper pose at the start/finish line prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 30, 2010 in Co

What

Rampage retires from fighting for acting.

When

September 2009-May 2010.

While coaching on The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, Rampage picked Kimbo Slice as his first pick, fought an innocent door and along with Rashad Evans, talked more trash than possibly any other set of coaches in TUF history.

After Kimbo proved to be a bust and Evans’ team got the best of Rampage’s team in almost every fight, Rampage “retired” to film "The A-Team."

Rampage soon announced that he would return to fighting.

After much trash talk and hype, Rampage finally fought Rashad at UFC 114 in an unimpressive losing effort.

Rampage Tries To Show His PRIDE Against the Dragon

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 07: UFC Light Heavyweight Mixed Martial Arts Champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson arrives at Spike TV's 2007 'Video Game Awards' at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on December 7, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Get

What

Rampage vs. Lyoto Machida at UFC 123.

When

November 20, 2010.

Why

Rampage showed some signs of his PRIDE days against Machida.

Disgusted by his performance against Evans, Rampage wanted to make an impact by beating Lyoto Machida.

Machida is arguably one of the toughest fighters to face because he’s hard to hit. Jackson wanted to prove that this was not the “Ultimate Elusive Fighter” by knocking Machida out.

Although Jackson pushed the pace of the fight, Machida landed more punches.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the fight came when Jackson almost slammed Machida like he once did opponents in PRIDE. Jackson also came out to PRIDE’s theme song.

Jackson's aggression won him the controversial split decision.