Breakdown UFC 92: Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson

This is it, the final version of UFC 92 Breakdown. This time around it is all about the bad blood, the rivalry that is Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva. Nothing needs to be said about these two greats but it is sure is fun to break it all down. The two Pride vets are trying to make their homes in the UFC. The awkward thing is most people would have put money that Wand would flourish in the cage not Rampage, but the opposite has happened. On the final card of 2008 this is the most anticipated fight. Over the past month both fighters have been on record about the other, and they are ready to fight. One has even told Dana to go ahead and put his name on the KO of the night check.

Quinton Rampage Jackson is one of the most colorful characters in the UFC. His antics are pure comedy. When he arrived in the UFC he brought fans from Japan, and found tons of news ones as he joked his way into the TUF house as a coach for a title shot against Forrest Griffin. That fight was the first time Rampage suffered a loss in the cage and he has been on one very wild ride since. One insane truck ride and the loss of a very close trainer have landed him in a new camp. This new camp has him training a well rounded game and he could be able to provide a winning game plan on Saturday. Jackson and Wand have a history and it is not a good one for Rampage to remember. He has lost in the two meetings, the two meetings were almost as one sided as the Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin fights. Rampage was dealt two devastating losses and in the last he was suspended unconsciously in the ropes. Jackson almost needs this fight. It is possible that Wand has his number like he has Chucks, and if that is true he may be in real trouble.

This intense rivalry has been owned by one man, and that is The Axe Murderer. Mr. Chute Boxe himself has proved both times that Rampage has a weakness when it comes to knees. Over the past 4 years a dream match up brewed. The monster of the Pride organization was supposed to fight the poster boy of the UFC in Chuck Liddell. In almost a year to the date of this fight, that one finally took place. Wand was the loser and people started to question the former title holder. After losses to Chuck, Dan Henderson, and Cro Cop it started to look like Wand would fade into the sunset, but a huge KO victory over Keith Jardine has reenergized the Brazilian. Another win could put Wand into title contention or at least one fight away. Rampage is standing in the way and is a different fighter. He is more of a boxer now and knows how to exchange punches. He exploited Chuck in a way that Wand couldn’t and a for sure way to beat wand is straight punches. If he uses this strategy Wand could be in trouble.

It is time for round 3 and I can’t wait for this one. UFC 92 is the biggest card of the year, and as 2008 comes to a close expect this card to be one of the best. It is packed with talent, back stories, and anything you would need to get you excited. As for a prediction I am going against everyone else and I am taking Rampage. One thing he has learned since being in the UFC is how to box. Wand throws looping punches that seem to be all shoulders. If Rampage uses a solid boxing game plan of jabs and crosses (a solid 3 punch combo perhaps) he may be able to sneak out a win. I see this one by decision, but an all out war, a stand up game of chess that will be won by the guy with the better boxing.