Quinton Jackson eager to fight in Japan at UFC 144 – UFC Special
The 33-year old former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson is eager to fight in Japan. Jackson, who has been nicknamed Rampage for his devastating stance in the fighting ring, has been on a great run in his mixed martial
arts (MMA) career. Jackson will be heading to Japan to fight at the UFC live event. He would be going in a bout against Ryan Bader at UFC 144.
On November 28, 2011, Jackson was in Japan. While talking to the Japanese media, Jackson looked and seemed hopeful and very excited for his fight in Japan. Being a MMA fighter who fights with his heart, Jackson has shown immense
strength in his fights where he has slammed his opponents with sheer force on the mat.
Jackson has previously fought in Japan in various events. These include Pride 15 in July 2001, Pride 17 in November 2001, Pride 18 in December 2001, Pride 20 in April 2002, Pride 22 in September 2002, Pride 25 in March 2003, Pride
26 in June 2003, Pride Total Elimination in August 2003, Pride 28 in October 2004, Pride 29 in February 2005, Pride 30 in October 2005 and Pride 31 in February 2006.
The last time Jackson was inside the octagon in Japan was at Pride 31 in February 2006. He defeated Japanese MMA fighter Yoon Dong-Sik by a unanimous decision. For Jackson, Japan also holds a dear place in his heart for he has
won some of the most memorable fights in his career. The powerbomb that he gave to his opponent, the Brazilian MMA fighter Ricardo Arona, at Pride Critical Countdown 2004 in June 2004 in Japan is perhaps one of the widely viewed slams given by Jackson. One
might wonder if Bader, his opponent at UFC 144, would also face a similar fate.
After a gap of six years, Jackson will be going back to Japan in February 2012 at UFC 144. He will face Ryan Bader in the fight for the light heavyweight category. Bader, on the other hand, would be fighting in Japan for the very
first time in his career. He would definitely be nervous heading into the bout against Jackson in Japan for he has no idea how would the Japanese crowd react to his fighting style.
Jackson has mentioned repeatedly that the Japanese fans are his favourite and he is excited to fight in front of them. He said “In Japan, I used to slam a lot and put on more of a show because the energy from the fans gave me power
and I don't feel the same energy in the US. One thing I love about Japanese fans and why I love them the most is that they don't care if you win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That's why Japanese fans are
my favourite. And American fans are jealous that I say that all the time."
For Jackson, returning back to Japan also means he would have an edge over Bader on how to tackle the Japanese crowd. Jackson has fought so many times that he would have a clear idea of what moves and fighting stance are cherished
by the MMA fans in Japan, and which repel them.
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