Jackson, Evans ramp up feud before UFC 114
If mixed martial artist Quinton "Rampage" Jackson were still in character, he could have recited the "I pity the fool" catchphrase popularized by Mr. T, whose B.A. Baracus role the former UFC light-heavyweight champion assumed for the movie adaption of "The A-Team," the campy television series that ran from 1983 to '87.
If mixed martial artist Quinton "Rampage" Jackson were still in character, he could have recited the "I pity the fool" catchphrase popularized by Mr. T, whose B.A. Baracus role the former UFC light-heavyweight champion assumed for the movie adaption of "The A-Team," the campy television series that ran from 1983 to '87.
As it was, Jackson came up with just about every other insult he could think of in a profane, running debate with "Suga" Rashad Evans, whom he will face in the main event of UFC 114 on May 29 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Jackson and Evans, also a former UFC light-heavyweight (205-pound limit) titlist, have very publicly spewed hatred toward each other since they served as opposing coaches for "The Ultimate Fighter" television reality series last year.
But is their unvarnished animosity the real deal or staged and packaged to hype interest in their supposed grudge match?
"From what I hear of the 'A-Team' movie [set for release June 11], Rampage did a great job," said UFC president Dana White, who served more as referee than moderator for a teleconference that might have set some records for cuss words and general impoliteness. "He's probably going to become a big star. I want a piece of his second film."
Jackson, who turns 32 on June 20, was in definite R-rated mode for his recurring role of UFC badass.
"I already forgot I did a damn movie," Jackson said when media types kept questioning him about it. "It got nothing to do with this fight. To me, it's all work."
And if Jackson had some not-so-nice things to say about Evans, 30, he got as good as he gave.
"Who am I to fight him?" Evans said, incredulously, when Jackson demeaned him as an inferior fighter. "Who is this [bleeper-bleeper] to fight me? I beat Forrest [Griffin]. You didn't, bro. You lost. You're ignorant. I'm sorry, but I'm better than you."
Replied Jackson: "You can't do nothing better than me, boy."
White has promised the Jackson-Evans winner will get next shot at current UFC light-heavyweight champ Mauricio Rua. *