Former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has expressed his desire to step into the boxing ring with both Rashad Evans and Wanderlei Silva. The retired MMA fighter is looking to make a comeback in the combat sports world, but this time focusing solely on boxing.
Jackson, known for his explosive power and aggressive fighting style, believes that a boxing match against Evans or Silva would be a thrilling spectacle for fans. Both Evans and Silva are former UFC fighters themselves, adding to the excitement of a potential matchup.
In recent years, we have seen a rise in crossover fights between MMA and boxing, with the likes of Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. facing off in a highly anticipated bout. Jackson hopes to follow in their footsteps and prove that he has what it takes to succeed in the world of boxing.
While Jackson’s transition from MMA to boxing may raise some eyebrows, he is confident in his abilities and believes that he can adapt his skills to the sweet science. The former UFC champion has always been known for his knockout power and believes that his punching prowess will translate well in the boxing ring.
No official negotiations or agreements have been made at this time, but Jackson’s announcement has certainly sparked interest among fight fans. Many are eager to see if he can make a successful transition and compete against top-level boxers.
Only time will tell if Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will be able to secure a boxing match against either Rashad Evans or Wanderlei Silva. But one thing is for sure, if the fight does happen, it will be an event that fight fans won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for updates on this potential matchup.
Quentin “Rampage” Jackson, the former UFC fighter, is making a comeback in the boxing world. After almost nine years away from the UFC Octagon, Jackson still has some unfinished business with his past opponents. In an interview with Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour,” Jackson expressed his desire to box against Rashad Evans and Wanderlei Silva. These potential matchups would undoubtedly attract UFC fans.
Before Jackson can face either Evans or Silva, he has a high-profile fight scheduled for later this year. In April 2023, he participated in a unique event, teaming up with Bob Sapp for a two-on-two boxing match in the Fight Circus organization. Jackson and Sapp emerged victorious in the third round. However, his next match will be a more conventional one against former heavyweight boxing champion Shannon Briggs.
Briggs, with a record of 60-6-1, has also dabbled in other combat sports. He previously competed in K-1 kickboxing, where he knocked out Tom Erikson in the first round. Regardless of the outcome of the Briggs-Jackson matchup, Rampage plans to continue lining up opponents with less boxing experience.
Both Silva and Evans have a history with Jackson. His rivalry with Silva dates back to the 2003 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix, where Silva won by TKO in the first round. They faced each other again a year later for the middleweight title, resulting in another victory for Silva via second-round TKO. However, in their third encounter four years later, Jackson emerged victorious with a first-round knockout.
Their rivalry didn’t end there. Nearly a decade later, they met for the fourth time in Bellator, and Jackson secured a second-round TKO to even the score. Now, Jackson seeks a fifth bout to settle the score and determine the better fighter.
Jackson’s history with Evans may not be as long, but it led to one of the most entertaining seasons of The Ultimate Fighter. Although a matchup for Evans’ light heavyweight belt fell through, the two fighters ended up coaching season 9 of TUF. Finally, they met at UFC 114, where Evans outwrestled Jackson and won via unanimous decision. Now, Jackson aims for a rematch with Evans, where wrestling won’t be a factor.
John Vaccaro covers the NFL for