Rampage stares down Rashad Evans in a photo by Josh Hedges
Anyone up to date on their MMA knows sparks are bound to fly in the fight between Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson. Both former light heavyweight title holders, they will finally be able to get a piece of each other this Saturday in the UFC 114 main event, following their verbal dispute during the tenth season of the “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show.
“Everyone knows about the rivalry between Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans, which intensified in recent months,” said UFC president Dana White. “I can guarantee neither of the two wants to lose this fight, which promises to be insane,” he added.
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Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has an astounding knockout win over Chuck Liddell, in their last outing. Nor could Wanderlei Silva and Marvin Eastman contain the Memphis native. Recently the judges decided in his favor against Keith Jardine at UFC 96. Now he will face Jardine’s training partner at the 114th show.
“I really want to knock this guy out,” said Jackson. “I’ve never wanted to knock anybody out as much as I want to knock him out. I’m really motivated; my trainers have even moved in with me. Rashad better be prepared to see a new Rampage milestone,” he said.
A former college wrestler and now a successful MMA fighter, Rashad Evans is now back to blazing a trail to the belt after beating Thiago Silva by decision at UFC 108. With a record of nine wins, just one loss and one draw, Evans fought and beat some of the best, including Liddell and Forrest Griffin. Now the 30-year-old fighter living in New York will get his chance to tear into Rampage. “I don’t like smack talk before a fight. I’m anxious to shut his mouth,” said Evans. “When Jardine trained for his fight against Rampage I had to imitate his style of fighting,” he revealed.
Brazil’s Rogério Minotouro Nogueira, Rodrigo Minotauro’s twin brother, will enter theocaton on the same evening to face the USA’s Jason Brilz. This will be his second fight in the world’s greatest MMA promotion. In November of 2009 Minotouro made his debut in the event knocking out Luis “Banha” Cane in the first round.
Considered one of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division, Minotouro is a Jiu-Jitsu and boxing specialist, but is no slouch when it comes to muay thai and wrestling. At the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro he took bronze in boxing. Further expectations surrounding the event have to do with lightweight Deigo Sanchez’s return since losing to BJ Penn last December.
UFC Fan Expo
The first UFC Fan Expo, in July of last year, caused quite stir with fans celebrating the past, present and future of The Ultimate Fighting Championship. Due to the enormous demand, The UFC, in partnership with Reed Exhibitions, will promote the second exposition on the weekend of UFC 114, on the 28th and 29th of May at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Fans will be able to be able to enjoy a wide variety of activities like an autograph night, current fighters milling around the venue, training sessions with elite athletes and stands with top products from the MMA industry. Around 200 companies will exhibit electronic games, food and drinks, fitness equipment, nutritional supplements and clothing. “I was blown away by the response to the first UFC Fan Expo,” said Dana White. “Our next Fan Expo will be an incredible event; we’ll offer the fans new ways to experience the UFC,” he added.
UFC 114
Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday May 29, 2010
Quinton Jackson vs Rashad Evans
Michael Bisping vs Dan Miller
Todd Duffee vs Mike Russow
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs Jason Brilz
Diego Sanchez vs John Hathaway
Amir Sadollah vs Dong Hyun Kim
Preliminary card
Efrain Escudero vs Dan Lauzon
Melvin Guillard vs Waylon Lowe
Luiz Cane vs Cyrille Diabate
Aaron Riley vs Joe Brammer
Jesse Forbes vs Ryan Jensen