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[Texasboyballin]

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (28-7 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has begun preparations for a UFC 91 fight with Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC).

Sources within Jackson's new camp at the Wolfslair Academy tell MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) that Jackson has agreed to the Nov. 15 bout and has already begun a six-week fight camp with the U.K.-based team.

However, the UFC has yet to announce the bout, and neither fighter could publicly confirm the match-up.

The Jackson-Silva bout will likely serve as the co-main event to UFC 91's headline fight of UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar. The fight card, which also includes Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson, takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

MMARated.com first reported earlier this month that the Jackson-Silva fight was close to being finalized.

Jackson, who faces two felony (and four misdemeanor) charges stemming from a July hit-and-run and subsequent police chase in California, will return to competition for the first time since the bizarre incident and his recent split with longtime trainer and friend Juanito Ibarra. Under Ibarra's guidance, Jackson had won six consecutive fights, which included a first-round TKO of then-champ Chuck Liddell in May 2007, before his May title loss to Forrest Griffin.

Jackson, who recently pleaded not guilty to the charges, is currently scheduled for a Nov. 3 court date at which time he'll learn whether or not he'll go to trial due to his recent arrest.

Silva, meanwhile, recently picked up his first UFC win in nine years when he defeated Keith Jardine in quick and brutal fashion at UFC 84. He needed just 36 seconds for the knockout victory.

Silva competed in some early UFC events before heading to PRIDE to become one of the organization's biggest stars and most recognizable champions. However, his final two fights in the Japanese-based organization were both losses -- to Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Dan Henderson via knockouts -- and he stretched the losing streak to three straight when he dropped a unanimous decision to Liddell during his octagon return at UFC 79.

Silva owns two previous victories over Jackson -- one in 2003 and again in 2004 -- with both coming via knockout.

The winner of the Jackson-Silva fight will be in the thick of the UFC's light-heavyweight title picture, which also includes undefeated contender Lyoto Machida. However, Rashad Evans, fresh off a stunning knockout victory of Liddell, has been granted the first shot at Griffin's title. That bout is expected to take place later this year or in early 2009.

Source:
Jackson vs. Silva @ UFC 91 ????

[jlruthven84]

Yeah, I just read this myself on the source site...looks like the fight is a go, just waiting for an official announcement.

Again, I'm not sure this fight makes too much sense, but hell if I don't wanna see these two go at it one more time, though I doubt the outcome will be much different than their first two meetings.

[the_dark_angel_4ever]

Man I don't know who to cheer for!!!

I don't want Wandy to go 1-4 in his last 5 fights but at the same time I want to see another Rampage/Forrest fight.

[Nothing Ninja]

This fight doesn't make any sense at this point and I don't want to see it. The only reason these two should fight again is if one was the champion and the other was challenging for the title.

Just my opinion - I hope it doesn't offend.

[TheKidInside]

This is a very silly match-up. Even IF Rampage wins...so what? he got annihilated by the Wand twice in the same fashion. So, he finally managed to beat a guy that PWNed him twice before...I just hope that doesn't get him a title shot at Rashad or Forrest depending on who is the champ at the moment.

[macewen]

Originally Posted by TheKidInside

This is a very silly match-up. Even IF Rampage wins...so what? he got annihilated by the Wand twice in the same fashion. So, he finally managed to beat a guy that PWNed him twice before...I just hope that doesn't get him a title shot at Rashad or Forrest depending on who is the champ at the moment.

well, i will probably be flammed for this but....wand didnt own rampage both times, rampage was clearly winning the fight before he got caught and was clearly tired....but maybe thats just my opinion and QJ holdin wandy down and pounding on him isnt winning the round....flame on

[Qball1974]

What a dumb time for this match up.....out of all the fights they can make and this is what they come up with.

[JimG]

Originally Posted by Ramma

I still kind of hope this isn't true. Rampage needs a gimme. Give the guy some time to get things in order.

As much as I hate to see Rampage take another loss with what he just went through, I hope Wanderlei dominates Jackson to a finish, so he can get a title shot in the next 2 fights.

War Wandy!

Why does Rampage need a gimme? I hate that attitude. If he can't stand the heat he should stay out of the kitchen, or retire. A fighter should always have to fight tough opponents, I hate gimmes.

[Diegonightmare]

Fickle MMA fans. No matter what fight is announced, no matter what opponent a given fighter gets, there's going to be several folks that don't like it.

Rampage-Wandy is a superfight of 2 of the top 5 LHW's in the world and 2 of the roughly 7 or so best LHW's to ever step into a ring/cage. It's a fight that both guys desparately need to win which always creates fantastic drama and a great fight. And still there are boobirds.

Why does Rampage need a gimme? I hate that attitude. If he can't stand the heat he should stay out of the kitchen, or retire. A fighter should always have to fight tough opponents, I hate gimmes.

Much as I hate to disagree with my friend Riz and agree with Jim, I'm going to do it.

Rampage is the clear #2 LHW in the world. He fought a very tough very close fight with Forrest, it's not like he got mowed down and needs something to rebuild his confidence in himself. His personal life shouldn't greatly factor into the fight selection. He's the #2 LHW, who wants to get another title shot, and should fight tough fights.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by Ramma

If a fighter needs to work his way back up, he doesn't deserve opportunity?

Ehh...again Riz I don't think he needs to work his way back up.

His personal life is shit, but lots of fighters go through drama fairly close to what he's been thru and they don't get breaks.

Professionally, he just lost a razor-thin 5 round decision and IMO is still the #2 LHW in the world. I don't think there's any "working back up" that he needs to do.