UFC NEWS – Rampage Gets His Wish, Will Face Ryan Bader In Japan
It was just three days ago we reported here on BJPENN.COM that former UFC light-heavyweight champion; Rampage Jackson was upset at his exclusion from the UFC’s first trip to Japan.
“It don’t look like I’m fighting in Japan, which I’m not happy about at all,” Jackson Tweeted. “I think it’s a big mistake by the UFC… F**k it!”
UFC officials apparently took note and granted him his wish as he now will prepare to face off with Ryan Bader on the UFC 144: Japan card this February.
Lorenzo Fertitta broke the news to ESPN while we were all eating turkey during yesterday’s thanksgiving celebration.
“UFC 144: Japan”, while not yet made official by the promotion, is expected to go down on February 26 live from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. As of current date, the event is expected to be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Benson Henderson.
A long time staple of the Japanese MMA scene, Rampage Jackson is now set to return to the country that made him famous. The former UFC light-heavyweight champion came up short in his last Octagon appearance when he faced off with Jon Jones at UFC 135. The loss snapped a two-fight win streak that saw him best the likes of Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill.
Stepping across from Jackson will be none other than Ultimate Fighter winner, Ryan Bader. After dropping two consecutive contests to Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz, the wrestling standout recently bounced back from defeat against Jason Brilz at UFC 139 and earned a first round KO.
Click here for the latest UFC 144 in Japan coverage provided by BJPENN.COM
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Rampage got it
Yea I would love to see some vintage rampage come this february.
Goodnight Bader.
Maybe they’re not all dickheads in the UFC after all!
Awesome, WAR RAMPAGE!!!
Rampage by KO
I hope we get the motivated Rampage who fought JBJ. I was really impressed with his tdd and head movement in his last fight with the lhw champ even though he couldn’t get in range to strike.
Ryan also looked impressive in his last fight. Dude has some heavy hands. I don’t think he will be as easy as Matt Hamil was. We got a fight on our hands here!
one more addition to pages k.o reel
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Ryan “The Master” Bader. should be epic; I got Rampage on this one.
it darth bader, but you are right should be an awesome fight, good to see dana gave jackson the chance to fight in japan
really? > it’s not Master-Bader?!! =/
YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
That is all, Thank you
Shogun must be under suspension still? That would have been a classic japan matchup. Unless UFC is protecting rampages win loss record?
Yeah man I think they said Shogun’s suspension is like 6 months, so he should be clear to fight in late May or early June.
no? why would shogun fight so soon? he just got trounced on by hendo and now you want him to fight jackson in japan?:P hahaahaha
Trounced on? Did you watch the last two rounds? Most people including Dana had it as draw. I don’t think it’s to soon he has nearly 4 months to recover. Judging by there first contest he won’t need to be at 100% anyway.
Their striking cancel each other out. Their wrestling cancel each toher out. So im gonna go out on a limb here and predict a 3 round ju jitsu match. Na im kiddin Rampage has an advantage in boxing technique. Granted neither one of them is super impressive, I believe we will se wild swings and here boos from the crowd.
nah, wild swings yes but no boos. Bader will hit the canvas on this one.
Bader needs to bring a pillow with him to Japan.
watch bader miraculously pull off the ko and be like ” I did what Jon couldn’t do”