Rampage Jackson knows how to sell a fight. His big personality and even bigger resume bring a ton of draw to his upcoming UFC Light Heavyweight title fight at UFC 135. He's called out Jon Jones for being cocky and still shows the confidence needed to re-gain the championship belt. "Him and Rashad (Evans) got something in common. They're both really cocky. I'm confident, very confident in myself. There's a difference," Rampage Jackson said at the prefight press conference. "Last time I was this confident, I knocked someone (Chuck Liddell) out in the first round and got that belt. I've been working hard, training and doing all the right things, all the stuff I need to be doing. That belt's coming back to me, for real."Jackson captured the title on May 26, 2007 when he defeated Keith Jardine at UFC 71. In his very next fight Rampage became the first fighter to merge the UFC and Pride championships when he took down Pride Middleweight Champion Dan Henderson. Rampage is certain he can return to championship form with a win over Jones, even at age 33. "I'm only 33. Goodness. You all act like I'm Randy Couture's decrepit old ass," Rampage Jackson said. "You know, if I have to represent the old school, I guess I'll represent them. I guess I'm old school, but with old school comes a lot of experience. He's the youngest champion, but I think (Jones is) the least experienced champion in UFC history."Rampage is set to expose that inexperience when he and Jones come to blows. The fight will mark Rampage's 41st professional fight, and he undoubtedly holds the experience advantage over Jon "Bones" Jones. Is going to be an excellent battle. But it's been a while since Rampage Jackson has been in championship form. While he defeated Matt Hamill at UFC 130 and Lyoto Machida at UFC 123, Jackson lost to Rashad Evans at UFC 114 and hasn't fought for the UFC light heavyweight title since losing it to Forrest Griffin in July of 2008. That's a long time to be gone w hen fighting competition of such a high caliber. After defeating Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine in back-to-back fights, Quinton Rampage Jackson announced that he was done fighting on September 22, 2009. But less than three months later, Jackson wanted back in the UFC and requested a bout against Evans. The two met in what would be a fight for the No. 1 contender and a shot at then-champion Mauricio Rua. Jackson fell short in his first fight back and couldn't land that title shot that he wanted. Regardless of the loss, the UFC signed Jackson to a new six-fight contract. His bout against Jones is the third fight of that contract. Rampage Jackson can make a big statement against someone he called the future of MMA. "I just have to say, straight up, I respect you dog. I do think you are the future of MMA, straight-up," Rampage Jackson said to Jon Jones. "I'm keeping it real. But you fought (Mauricio) 'Shogun' Rua when he was rusty as hell. He hadn't fought for a year. He had like two knee surgeries." The level of respect Rampage has for his much younger opponent insinuates that he will be appearing in top form. It's sure to be an interesting fight for MMA Fans.
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