The War Report, Vol. 1: Rampage Will Beat Wanderlei

The War Report will be an ongoing series that pits two writers with opposing viewpoints on a particular fight. This feature will evolve with each subsequent piece and can change based on the styles of the two writers involved.

Each writer will assemble their own article and the opposing writer's article will be linked at the bottom. Feel free to read both articles to get the full report. If you are interested in being a part of future War Reports, please contact the writer on his profile.

Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva

You can’t talk about this fight without mentioning these two fighters' history together. They fought twice in the PRIDE organization with Silva winning both fights in dramatic fashion.

He dominated Jackson with a barrage of knees in both fights - knees that left the Jackson physically broken and mentally beaten.

Silva seemed to be Rampage’s kryptonite.

Fast forward four years and the two will collide for a third time, this time inside the octagon at December's UFC 92. It would be easy to think this battle will unfold much like the first two did, but a lot has changed since their days in PRIDE.

Is Rampage a new man?

Rampage has won and lost the UFC light heavyweight belt since joining the UFC. He took it from Chuck Liddell by putting him on the canvas with one punch and gave it away to Forest Griffin in a debatable decision loss. Nonetheless, he became a champion.

After that, he had a skirmish with the law but seems to have turned things around by switching training camps and joining Wolfslair Gym in London, England. At Wolfslair, Jackson has had the opportunity to work with Ricky Hatton’s strength consultant Kerry Kayes. Reports indicate that Rampage is in the best shape of his life.

In a recent interview, Jackson confessed he had never eaten a proper diet or taken supplements and that his new regimen has done wonders for him. He also said that in retrospect, he was a terrible fighter back in PRIDE – one that lacked any real discipline.

His humble attitude seems to be the right mindset coming into his upcoming fight – he looks more focused then ever and seems to have a sense of his place in MMA.

Rampage’s trainer/manager Anthony McGann said, "You will never have seen the Rampage you're going to see at UFC 92. This is Rampage who has been training with top sparring partners and top experts in all the various fields, top conditioners, top strength and diet experts like Kerry Kayes. This is the Rampage who is going to win back his UFC title and defend it for years."

Have we seen the best of Wanderlei?

Wanderlei has gone 1-1 since joining the UFC. Silva looked to give his all in his loss to common opponent Liddell and there were moments when it looked like he could have won. But Liddell had the better game plan and was able to neutralize Wanderlei when he needed to.

In his next fight, Silva looked like the “Axe Murderer” of old. He rushed in on Keith Jardine, overwhelmed him and brutally knocked him out. While it looked like vintage Wanderlei, Jardine seemed like a tailor-made opponent.

Jardine had suffered a very similar fate to Houston Alexander – a fighter who has an aggressive in-your-face approach comparable to Silva’s. So the fight against Jardine may not be the best gauge for where Wanderlei is at with his current fight game.

Outside of his 36-second victory over Jardine, Silva doesn’t appear to be the same fighter. For one, he has looked noticeably smaller (less muscular) as of late – to the point where he looks ready to cut weight and compete in the middleweight division.

Also, Silva hasn’t shown any of those vintage knees recently which were so devastating in his PRIDE fights. If he can’t clinch and land knees on Rampage, what real advantage does he have?

His vicious attitude and wild haymaker approach will always make him a threat but how much longer?  It just seems like Wanderlei’s career may have peaked back in PRIDE.

Third time is the charm

Jackson is a much better technical fighter since his two fights with Silva. He is the better wrestler as well as a better technical boxer. He also seems to have learned how to use the clinch much more effectively since those fights.

Rampage will use the octagon and the five-minute first round (as opposed to the 10-minute first round in PRIDE) to set up his game plan. If Wanderlei goes into his aggressive mode, Rampage can become the counter-striker and wait to set up his shots. Look for Rampage to take Wanderlei down and use his wrestling to tire him out.

If you rewatch their second fight, Rampage won the first round on the strength of his ground and pound. Silva was visibly exhausted after that first round. The octagon will serve Jackson even better if he looks to use ground and pound – something he has to do in this fight.  

The X- Factor

The big unknown for this fight is all mental and falls on Jackson’s shoulders. He seems fully recovered from his troubles since losing the belt and his new training camp looks to have given him the mental edge he needs to win.

But will he come into this fight not intimidated of Silva? While it has been over four years since their last fight, it is hard not to be scarred by the type of beating he took from Wanderlei.

Prediction

If Silva can’t utilize his clinch and get off those vicious knees, which we haven’t seen in quite some time,  I cant see a scenario in which he beats Jackson,unless he is able to overpower him like he did against Jardine. I don’t foresee that.

I do foresee Jackson being able to establish his game plan and outpoint Silva with counter striking and working in some ground and pound. He has a great chin and should be able to sustain any damage that Silva does deliver.

Jackson realizes how important this fight is for his career. He has tasted UFC gold and he wants his belt back. He is the more complete MMA fighter and will get the most important win in his MMA career.

My prediction: Rampage Jackson by decision. 

To read Robert's opposing viewpoint click here.