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<h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=338632" target="_blank">
Rashad: Rampage is living off Pride fumes
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<a href="/go=news.detail&gid=338632" ><img class="photo" src="http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/method=get&rs=100&q=75&x=117&y=34&w=310&h=165&ro=0&s=quinton-jackson-rashad-evans.jpg" /></a>
<strong class="ArticleSource">[mmaweekly.com]</strong>
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UFC president Dana White said on Thursday that if Rashad Evans is victorious against Tito Ortiz at UFC 133, Evans is guaranteed the winner of the upcoming fight at UFC 135 between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Rampage Jackson. Thus Evans has a whole new vested interest in Jones vs. Rampage.
“I think it’s going to be Jon Jones,” Evans told MMAWeekly Radio when asked to predict a winner. “I would like to see Rampage catch him with something, but I honestly believe Rampage is not doing what he needs to do, and he’s not going to do what he needs to do to win the title.”
“He’s just been living off of fumes of his Pride days, and he really needs to go and take things seriously. If he took things seriously, I think he might be able to do something, but he ain’t trying to take nothing serious.”
I think he is saying it to motivate Rampage to upset Jones. Pysche job to make Jones think he is for him since they might be teammates again at some point...he would really rather fight Rampage and hopes he wins.
Haadogei has a good point on Rampage's post-Pride success. but Rampage has said many times himself that once he's consistenly making more acting than fighting, he's done fighting. i don't think he's all that motivated to fight anymore, but as long as he stays in shape is tough for anyone.
and i think Rashad doesn't really wanna fight JBJ, and would like to see a tough guy like Rampage expose some weaknesses for Rashad to exploit...
Haadogei - I am one of Rashads only fans but this statement is funny because overall Rampage has been possibly the most successful big name fighter from Pride since it was bought out.
Vincanni - The Rampage that KOed Chuck and beat Hendo was the best Rampage there has ever been, not the one who fought in Pride.
ummm no way
Rampage in Pride was slamming, punching, kicking, wrestling with bad intentions. Prior to coming to UFC, Rampage found Jesus and now he never really kicks nor slam. He now only boxes and became one dimensional.
Haadogei - I am one of Rashads only fans but this statement is funny because overall Rampage has been possibly the most successful big name fighter from Pride since it was bought out.
Rampage has had a great record since coming to the UFC, but he's appeared to be slowing down since the move too....only 3 finishes in 9 fights, 2 against the chinny Chuck and Wand and the other over Eastman.
Did you ever think in a million years TUFers like Hammil and Jardine could go the distance with somebody as devestating as Rampage used to be?
Rampage really is a shadow of his former self, BUT luckily he still has enough skill to beat the majority of fighters at 205. Still, if Rampage moved like he did back in the mid 2000's he'd actually be a pretty tough fight for Jones. These days I think he'd end up like Bader.
Danawhiteshair - Sounds like he is trying to push rampage to me, I think he wants him to win but can't say it <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
That's what it sounds like to me too. He wants Rampage to win, he just doesn't want to really get his hopes up.
Danawhiteshair - Sounds like he is trying to push rampage to me, I think he wants him to win but can't say it <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
That's what it sounds like to me too. He wants Rampage to win, he just doesn't want to really get his hopes up.
Yea I think he is trying to light a fire under his ass
