Despite likely being on the way out of the UFC with just one more fight on his contract, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had no problem taking verbal shots at current 205-pound number one contender Chael Sonnen.
In an interview with “Inside MMA’s” Bas Rutten via (MMA Mania), Jackson ripped Sonnen for his controversial interviews and wrestle-heavy fight style:
“The dude is exciting for like two minutes, but then you just wanna turn down the volume, like, 'What the hell you talkin' about?' He sounds like he practices his stuff in the mirror, and then he goes out and says it. He's a great wrestler. That's all I'm gonna say, 'cuz everything else sucks.”
Jackson also ripped Sonnen for his lack of finishing power in the cage, using his first middleweight title bout with champion Anderson Silva at UFC 117 as an example.
Despite controlling the action for four-and-a-half rounds with takedowns and ground and pound (landing over 300 strikes), Silva scored a round five submission and had little damage to show after the bout.
Rampage also went off on “The American Gangster” for talking trash on fighters he knows he will more than likely never square off with in the Octagon.
“I talk trash, but I talk trash about people I'm actually gonna fight -- people in my weight class. This guy, he talks trash about ring girls. He talks trash about the President. Now, that's a little bit too much. He's very disrespectful. I don't like the guy.”
To take it a step further, the former PRIDE star praised his upcoming opponent Glover Teixeira, and went as far as to say that fighters like Sonnen are bad for the sport.
“Glover's a tough guy. I like his fighting style. He's a jiu jitsu guy, but he throws it. I respect fighters like him. I think the UFC and MMA needs more fighters like him. Fighters like Chael Sonnen are just ruining the sport, taking people down and just humping on them. Fighters like Glover can save MMA.”
It’s no secret that Jackson likes to stand and trade with his Octagon adversaries, so it comes as no surprise that he is not a fan of fighters like Sonnen who typically win by decision.
In his past seven victories spanning over four years, Sonnen has only one finish to his credit: a submission win over Brian Stann at UFC 136 last year.
As epic as the pre-fight hype would be for a potential Sonnen vs. Rampage showdown, the bout is unlikely given that Jackson is on the last fight of his current UFC contract and it is clear that bout will be against Teixeira.
Does Rampage bring up valid points against Sonnen or is this just a past his prime fighter being green with envy?