Greg Jackson: Speed is the Key Factor in Rashad-Rampage

It's on to the next one for Rashad Evans and the namesake of the Jackson MMA Empire. Following Evans’ unanimous decision victory against Thiago Silva at UFC 108 last Saturday, his trainer Greg Jackson now turns his attention to the man Evans was supposed to fight last month: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The wheels are already churning in Jackson's head.

“Without getting too specific, Quinton has some very good assets including punching power, his wrestling is good,” Jackson told the Sherdog Radio Network's “Savage Dog Show” on Wednesday. “But where Rashad's (strength) really lies is speed. And Rashad is so amazingly quick, and it's one of those things where he looks quick but when he really gets going he's really fast. It's hard to keep track of where he is. Speed, among other things, is going to play a large factor in this fight coming up.”

A large part of the bout’s allure comes from Evans and Jackson’s stint as coaches on the last season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” For as many headlines as Kimbo Slice garnered, Evans and Rampage did their best to keep up with their jawing at one aother during multiple confrontations. While it may not be as intense as portrayed on the show, there is genuine animosity on both sides, said trainer Jackson.

“I think it's all real,” he said. “I wouldn't call it hate. I don't think Rashad hates anybody. He's too nice of a guy to hate someone. You'd have to ask him more about that, I guess, but when I was there they were just talking noise at each other and Rashad is a really funny guy, so is Quinton. So I think they would start teasing each other, then they would cross the line and get their feelings hurt and they would go back to doing it all over again. I'm sure on Quinton's end he's pretty upset. I think that's why he said he's coming back and I think Rashad just has a lot of fun. I know he doesn't hate him.”

Last Saturday’s bout saw Evans tire in the latter moments of the fight. After a spending a portion of the bout on his back, Silva stunned Evans late in the third. Still, Jackson said Evans showed enough last Saturday to take a bout against Rampage.

“Quinton's a different fighter; he's not Thiago so the plan will be a little bit different,” said Jackson. “I absolutely think (Evans can win)...Thiago is this amazing fighter. He's lost once to Machida and he's beaten some good people. Rashad was able to beat that guy. That's no joke. I have so much respect for Thiago. I think he's such an amazing guy, and an amazing athlete and an amazing fighter that to beat someone like that is very impressive. I absolutely think that's good enough, in my mind, to beat Rampage, who is also a great fighter.”

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