In 2011, Jon Jones and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson faced off in the highly anticipated UFC 135 bout. Former UFC Strikeforce champion Jackson was one of the most feared fighters in the 205-pound division. But Jones had a unique way of countering the legendary power of Rampage. As soon as the fight started, Jones fell to the ground and yelled at Rampage, avoiding a devastating fight and choosing to fight instead.
Consideration of Training Errors
Years later, Jackson regretted his preparations for the war. Speaking on Joe Rogan’s JRE MMA show, Jackson acknowledged that training with taller grappling partners is an important oversight.
“Oh, that’s true. You know I didn’t train with tall jiu-jitsu guys. For him [Jon Jones] I had a tall guy to compete with but I didn’t have anybody that tall and lanky, and I didn’t think they would make a difference. But after [results], like, yeah down makes a difference, really. ‘Cause you can secure chokes from places you just can’t get to,” Rampage Jackson said.
For Jones, Jackson’s training camp was one of the toughest he’s ever endured. His coaches emphasized Jones’ preparation for unique techniques like diagonal kicks and spinning elbows. Despite his solid preparation, Jackson felt he lacked the experience to take on a player of Jones’ size, which proved crucial in the battle.
A Solid training Camp
“Coaching that guy was the hardest training camp, the hardest job. I remember my coaches, I just listen to my coach and I don’t watch the fight, and it’s like, ‘If that righty changes, he throws this kick, if he does this, he’ll do that’. They had to practice diagonal kicks, spinning elbows, it was the most f***ing training camp,” Jackson added.
Despite great preparation, Jones dispatched Jackson with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round, an edge he described as losing his ‘kryptonite’ as a tough pill to swallow, but Jackson later found solace some that Jones is really nervous about fighting him .
Before the trial, John Jones was experiencing anxiety, as his brother Chandler Jones revealed on a podcast. Chandler says that John could not sleep because of the fear Rampage instilled in him. Chandler also revealed that before Jon became well known, Jackson was the hero of the Jones clan.
Being Jon’s younger brother, I know what he wants. He also had trouble sleeping before your trial. I didn’t give a fk if he fought, had a stellar reputation, or anything else; I will tell you today that he could not sleep. I stare into your eyes, not staring. We were all your fans before that,” Chandler told Jackson.
Jackson’s experience highlights the significance of adequate preparation, as MMA has a significant emotional and physical cost. The absence of appropriate training partners for him is indicative of a prevalent obstacle in the game: the requirement to predict and adjust to the distinct abilities and physical characteristics of an adversary. Chandler Jones brings a human element to the story by highlighting the combatants’ worries and anxieties, which heightens the impact of these athletes’ achievements.
