“Cut you if you’re boring” – Rampage Jackson reveals Japanese promotion PRIDE’s unspoken rule
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson went for style statements rather than tactical finishes at PRIDE and was chasing boxing return vs. Rashad Evans.
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Ex-UFC fighter Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson prioritized style points over at PRIDE days (Source: IMAGO/X)
Those putting limited stock in the April 12 Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Rashad Evans boxing affair were on the spot. On Friday, Evans hopped on socials to say it was not happening. Ex-UFC star and PRIDE fame Jackson was to return at the ICS Mania 1 next week at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., in the boxing bout.
Jackson is a bona fide UFC Light Heavyweight legend. It’s not the first time Rampage has faced bout problems, cancelations, and such. His tenure at UFC was marked by PPV points deal falling through in a brutal cut and not generating timely stubs/sponsorships. He did make it big in the Japan circuit though; PRIDE had their own unspoken rule, however. That shaped his fighting style. Jackson said he was getting into this boxing bout with a similar style and mindset.
I prioritize excitement over my wins, …which is maybe not such a good thing. But in PRIDE in the contracts they can cut you if you was a boring fighter…so my thing was I came into the sport as a single parent; I already had mouths to feed…Yea, yea, I had to make that money and I like entertaining people…like when you know that you was buying a Rampage ticket you know you was getting exiting fight. And that’s what y’all going to get in April when I fight no matter what I get paid to step into the ring.
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson on his ‘Jaxxon’ Podcast
His old boss, CEO Dana White, and his UFC’s sentiments about thrill-seeking finishers are very well documented. White, head of litigation/CBO Hunter Campbell, and UFC matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard have often spoken on it. The urge to chase elusive finishers often got prospects on 20-month, four-fight contractual deals. Minus the excitement, the talent departments could choose to cut the fighter after 4 fights. Jackson said that, conversely, PRIDE was even less lenient.
Consequently, chasing flashy finishers boded well for fighters like Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Rashad Evans. The Team Wolfslair Academy fighters’ iconic body slam KO over Ricardo Arona at PRIDE FC is still a big thing! There have accordingly been many attempts at recreating it. But his one is just a tad bit more damning. While Jackson opted for style slams/strikes over acute function, it paid. As such, it had marked quite an anticipation for his return.
Boxing return canceled for legends, says let lawyers ‘handle it’
Those holding skepticism over Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson vs. Rashad Evans happening got ammo to cash their tickets. It’s a grudge match setting that no one particularly asked for at the beginning. Specifically given there were fight duty complications the first time around. Rampage faced flak during his first fight, the media tour against him. However, over time, people were waiting for the legends to return in a familiar setting.
The likes of Tony Ferguson, Paige VanZant, Kevin Lee, and Anthony Pettis made it to the 2025 GFL Draft, as did others. Evans himself made it as a veteran choice and ‘draft-eligible’ GFL option. However, he slammed down on the inclusion as he had worked up anticipation for his boxing camp. He had held hope and even crossed paths with Rampage for it since mid-February. However, the ICS Mania 1 boxing bout is now down the drain.
Evans’ video message was vague in terms of the apportionment of blame. But the 45-year-old mentioned “contractual obligations” were not at par. Rampage Jackson shared a more open dialogue on it:
Sad news for @sugarashadevans and myself. I’m disappointed to say that we have to pull out of the boxing match on April 12th because contractual obligations wasn’t fulfilled. I’ve lost confidence in the promotion of this fight. Once again i apologize for this bad news for everyone that got flights n fight tickets.
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson via IG
Unfortunately, Signature Punch Promotions couldn’t fulfill their end of the contractual deal. Hence, the duo pulled out of the boxing bout. ICS Boxing has yet to comment publicly on the matter as to what happened. Ex-UFC and now bare-knuckle boxing star Mike Perry commented on Evans’ reel. Perry is now the owner of the Dirty Boxing Championship and invited them to solve it over at his side of the fence.
Related: UFC legend Rampage Jackson opens up about IRISH ANCESTRY in a shocking revelation
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