Rampage Jackson's Sacrifice

by Michael Rome on Mar 6, 2009 3:46 AM EST in MMA News

Countdown to UFC 96 spent a lot of time on personal profiles of Keith Jardine, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Shane Carwin. All were slightly interesting, but the only really intriguing segments on the show focused on Quinton Jackson.

When Jackson moved to the Wolfslair shortly after his accident, the move was widely mocked as stupid or as further proof that he lost his mind. From what I can tell, the criticism was way off base.

The most touching moment of the piece was when Jackson talked about his phone conversation with his three-year-old son who just can't understand why his dad can't come over and see him. A lot of people focus on the fact that there's nothing to do in Widnes and the way it compares to all of the distractions in Southern California, but the biggest sacrifice Quinton makes is not avoiding the clubs and the beach, it is being away from his kids. The fact that he is willing to make that sacrifice to be a champion again suggests to me that he may actually have his head on straight, even if it's only temporary.

Beyond skills and strategies, I believe the biggest mistake Keith Jardine is making is underestimating Quinton Jackson's heart. He's said before that he thinks nobody has the heart that he does, and he thinks he can break Jackson's will. It's hard to imagine him breaking the will of a man who fought on one leg to a razor close decision when most any other fighter would have quit in the same situation. It's hard to imagine him breaking the will of a fighter who came out against all odds and knocked out Wanderlei Silva, a man who knocked him out twice. But most of all, it's very hard to imagine him breaking the will of a man making the kind of sacrifice Rampage is making right now. If Jardine wins, it will have to be a result of masterful game planning, because he is not going to break Jackson's will.

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No matter what people speculate no one can understand what happened to him in his incident but him. So far Rampage hasn’t been proven to be a liar about anything. Until that happens I believe that it really was a blood sugar imbalance.

by EazyEismydad on Mar 6, 2009 3:59 AM EST reply actions

This Iole article is interesting:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=AuGpK9WjfJPP6UK4e0DB0JM9Eo14?slug=ki-rampage030609&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

It almost seems like Rampage was a more successful BJ Penn. The real question going forward and what I’m looking for Saturday is if Jackson looks like a whole new fighter.

by Michael Rome on Mar 6, 2009 4:02 AM EST reply actions

The BJ Penn analogy is good… If only BJ didnt hire his maid to be his strength and conditioning coach, and the milk man to be his sparring partner.

by mmalogic on Mar 6, 2009 6:27 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Being away from his kids…. boo hoo… who gives a shit? You call that sacrifice? My dad was in the Marines throughout my childhood and I barely got to see him. Every time the phone rang my mom and I expected “that” call.

I hate it when these guys who have chosen to be in a profession that calls for dedication and sacrifices keep cribbing about stupid shit. Rampage drives around in an R8 … i’m sure his life is unbearable.

by cauliflower_ears on Mar 6, 2009 4:43 AM EST reply actions

Gosh, what a tough guy you are. Some people died today in Iraq, it doesn’t make sacrifices others make worthless.

Nothing quite like the internet tough guy.

by Michael Rome on Mar 6, 2009 5:19 AM EST up reply actions

I have to agree (mostly) w/Cauliflower_ears. I work long, hard hours & sacrifice time from my kids. I don’t want a pat on the back for it. It’s what I have to do to ensure my family’s financial security. Rome—>it’s your write-up that implies Jackson is making a sacrifice that goes above & beyond what is expected of a professional fighter. They segregate themselves from any distractions. Whether they’re in the same town or overseas. Rampage is by far one of my favorite fighters & I always hope to see him perform well. But it doesn’t mean he’s doing something unique to fighters by training in isolation. I don’t understand why you’re sh*tting on cauliflower. He doesn’t sound like a tough guy to me. Even in De La Hoya’s last build-up show he said for the 1st time in his career he let his wife & kids be around….

by frickshun on Mar 6, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

So You can miss your dad...

But he can’t miss his children? What you’re obviously not understanding is that unlike your father, Quinton’s profession does not directly require him to live away from his children… He could very well have made the easier choice of staying and training (using the term loosely) closer to home… However, he made the more difficult decision based on his will to become the champ, and better provide a future for himself and his family to travel overseas for weeks just to train. The added dimension of him being away from his kids just cements the seriousness of his current training regimen.

BTW material items aren’t the end all be all of someone’s outlook on life…

by Loot on Mar 6, 2009 6:27 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not totally siding with Ears here,

but some of the logic is a bit skewed.

I like Jackson, he seems like a stand up guy, but ALOT of fighter have kids that they stay away from or don’t get to spend time with while training for fights. Its a voluntary sacrifice that places their own career goals over spending time with their family. Sure, if he wins he will likely be able to provide better for his family, but its still a choice…not something that he is forced to do. I don’t think he should be demonized for it, but not sainted either.

People of all stripes make sacrifices to take care of their families every day, I don’t see why this is any more special than a service member going to war or parents going to work and taking their kids to daycare so that they can afford to earn the income it takes to put a roof over their heads.

by Razreshat on Mar 6, 2009 8:47 AM EST up reply actions

WAR RAMPAGE!

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 6, 2009 8:22 AM EST reply actions

“Meh, mine was better.”

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 6, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions

“Watch ya back, punk. You next! And actually more people saw mine and I got the belt from that KO, potnah! KNoecked him out AND took his belt! :D I’m tellin you, watch yo back cuz after Jardine I’m comin for you and I bet our fight dont go to no decision. I ain’t Chuck, homie. You bout to get laid out!”

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 6, 2009 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

“I believe the biggest mistake Keith Jardine is making is underestimating Quinton Jackson’s heart”

By the same token Jackson and his camp seemed to give absolutely no credit to Jardine. Not once do I remember hearing them say what a unique challenge Jardine presents them, instead we got platitudes about Rampage finally training (which I believe we’ve been hearing for 3 or 4 years at this point) for real and how Jardine is dumb and has “nothing between the ears”.

by Lyrias on Mar 6, 2009 10:28 AM EST reply actions

Jardine could win a decision on points and a great game plan, but it’s three rounds and I think eventually Jackson is gonna tag him with a punch. Left fist or right, doesn’t matter cause Jadine will get KO’d.

by pud333 on Mar 6, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions