| Cat--Smasher | 01-27-2013 09:11 AM |
Jackson's message to Teixeira after UFC on FOX 6: 'Go get the title'
Jackson's message to Teixeira after UFC on FOX 6: 'Go get the title' | News Quote:
Teixeira (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) thanked Jackson (32-11 MMA, 7-5 UFC), who plans to leave the UFC after a falling out with the organization. The Brazilian told him he was appreciated the opportunity and also considered himself a "Rampage" fan.
Jackson's response?
"He said, 'Now I'm your fan. Go get the title,'" Teixeira said.
Teixeira seemingly fed into Jackson's taunting when he promised he'd stand and trade with the striker. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and dominant ground fighter did just that, and he rocked Jackson on multiple occasions with uppercuts and stinging body punches. It ultimately led to a unanimous-decision victory via 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 scores.
"He's a legend in this sport, and I feel great going in there and having that fight with him," Teixeira said. "I stood up with him, took him down, did it all. I feel great about the fight."
The victory was Teixeira's 18th straight, including his third consecutive in the UFC. Prior to joining the organization, he dominated the Brazilian circuit as a UFC contract was delayed by visa issues. Now, though, he's banked his biggest win to date, and it came against a fighter who came into the fight in surprisingly good shape, as UFC President Dana White was quick to point out.
"I beat a guy who's been in the top 10 for how long?" Teixeira said. "He's an ex-champ and a tough guy. Like Dana was saying, he was training hard. He was tough. He's so tough. He can take a punch.
"But [this win] puts me up there. I'm ready to fight anyone."
Teixeira, who had finished 16 of his previous 17 opponents, didn't put Jackson away. But White said it's forgivable.
"I honestly believe that tonight if Glover was fighting anyone else he would have knocked them out in the first round," he said after the fight. "'Rampage' got hit with that shot, and not only can he punch hard, he can take a punch."
So what's next Teixeira? Champ Jon Jones fights Chael Sonnen in April, the same month in which top contender Alexander Gustafsson meets Strikeforce import Gegard Mousasi, and ex-champ Rashad Evans meets Antonio Rogerio Nogueira this coming weekend in UFC 156's co-headliner. Additionally, contender Phil Davis is likely to get an upcoming fight with Vinny Magalhaes.
So where does that leave Teixeira, who plans to take off five days before he's back in the gym?
"It's up to him and the UFC," he said. "I don't care. I'll fight anyone, anyone out there. I think I'm 100 percent right now, and when they call me, I'll be ready."
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Quinton Jackson doesn't know if he 'can compete with the top people anymore,' plans to be like Gary Goodridge Quinton Jackson doesn't know if he 'can compete with the top people anymore,' plans to be like Gary Goodridge - MMAmania.com Quote:
"I don't know if I can compete with the top people," the former Light Heavyweight champion admitted to FUEL TV correspondent Ariel Helwani on the UFC on FOX 6: "Johnson vs. Dodson" post-fight show. "It's my first time I've lost three fights in a row. I'm not going to give up. I'm going to go back to the drawing board and work on everything. I feel like I can come back if I set my mind to it, but right now if anyone picks me up, that's my marketing pitch -- hey I'll put on a great show for you."
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"I think that this is my reality and I have to see what's next," he said. "I've been fighting for 13 years and the game has changed a lot. I might just be one of those fighters that come in and excite the crowd -- be like Gary Goodridge. One of those guys who just comes out and puts on a great show. Gary Goodridge is a great ambassador for the sport and he taught me a long time ago that it's all about the show. I'm just going out there and try to entertain the fans. I'll be one of those middle range fighters. If someone wants to pick me up and somebody is going to put on an exciting fight for the fans."
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