Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is in Brazil training to face Glover Teixeira. UFC publicity photo.
Jiu-Jitsu black belt and trainer Mario Sukata (12w, 5l) has some interesting ideas about MMA tactics. For example: “Everyone has a good strategy in the UFC, until taking the first punch to the face.”
The onetime UFC fighter will host former Pride FC star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for a training camp in Recife, the capital of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco.
Quinton is already in the city, and Sukata explained what he’ll be doing to get ready to take on Glover Teixeira—already favored to win by Brazilian fans and journalists—at the October 13 UFC Rio event.
“The training camp will be held at my academy, and Quinton is bringing a big team down. His Thai boxing, wrestling, boxing, Jiu-Jitsu and conditioning coaches and others will be coming down to do all his preparations here. After that he’ll head to Rio de Janeiro to fight,” recounted the black belt, who has coached the American fighter in Jiu-Jitsu in the past.
“We’ll be doing the usual Jiu-Jitsu for MMA work, nothing special. He’s already been doing his specific training, and just because I’m here doesn’t mean the bulk of our training will be Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve known Quinton since 2009, but I’ve been in England since 2009. As the fight will be in Brazil, I felt it was a good idea that he train here. It’ll be good for him to get in tune with the country, with the climate, and he has plenty of fans all over Brazil. There’s never been as high level a fighter as Rampage training in Recife, so it’ll also be good in that it will publicize MMA in the region,” added the Jiu-Jitsu professor, who went on to explain how they’ll be looking to overcome Glover.
“Truth is, we aren’t putting together a strategy. Rampage’s fights speak for themselves, don’t they? Quinton’s a guy who doesn’t shy away from a fight. He likes to fight, to throw down, and if it goes to the ground he knows how to handle himself. He knows his way around on the ground, and he brings it on,” Sukata guaranteed. “On the game plan, I think something Cro Cop used to say sums it up tidily: “Everyone has a game plan until they take the first punch to the face.” So, he likes putting on a show for the public, and there’s only one strategy: to win,” he said in closing.
Besides Rampage and Glover Teixeira, UFC Rio 3 will also feature José Aldo’s featherweight title defense against Erik Koch, Vitor Belfort squaring off with Alan Belcher, and TUF Brazil winner Rony Jason taking on Sam Sicilia. Tickets are already on sale.
Check out the complete card:
UFC RIO 3
HSBC ARENA, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
OCTOBER 13, 2012
José Aldo vs Erik Koch;
Vitor Belfort vs Alan Belcher
Glover Teixeira vs Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Rony Jason vs Sam Sicilia
Serginho Moraes vs Renée Forte
Cristiano Marcello vs Reza Madadi
Erick Silva vs Jon Fitch
Demian Maia vs Rick Story
Gabriel Napão vs Gerônimo Mondragon
Diego Brandão vs Joey Gambino
Luiz Banha vs Chris Camozzi
Francisco Massaranduba vs Gleison Tibau