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[ILuvGSP'sTights]

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's Guide to Coaching | Bleacher Report

Going into Season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter, anyone who had been following the UFC for the last few years knew that having former light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as one of the coaches would make for good television.

One of the most charismatic fighters around, "Rampage" is a goldmine for solid soundbytes and comedic moments, while pairing him with heated rival "Suga" Rashad Evans was sure to produce more than enough heated head-to-head gum-bumping opportunities.

However, this isn't The Rampage Jackson Show; this is The Ultimate Fighter and Jackson is one of the coaches, not a character on Spike's first attempt at a sitcom. After Wednesday's fourth episode, all that can be said is, "I pity the fool that has to be coached by Rampage! I pity the fool! I do!"

In truth, no one should be shocked that Team Rashad has won all four fights to this point, and not just because Team Rampage was put together by selecting the biggest guys, regardless of skills.

When Jackson stood opposite Forrest Griffin as a coach on Season 7, Team Forrest sent six of eight fighters to the quarterfinals, had three of four semifinal competitors and both of the originally slated fighters for the finals, Jesse Taylor and eventual winner Amir Sadollah.

Even during his first run on the show, the bulk of the attention Rampage received was for his poor handling of loses, constant trash talk of Griffin, and those quality soliloquies everyone expected.

Notice his strength as a coach in helping his fighters improve and learn was not mentioned once.

Jump ahead to last night's episode and lessons from Quinton Jackson's Guide to Coaching continue in full force.

While Rampage is nowhere to be found, there is Ghosn, sitting on the sidelines after a training session, talking strategy with Demico Rogers, jokingly admonishing him for not exploding the fist pound. You've gotta blow it up...

At this point, it should be noted that up to this point in the season, Tiki has been the one doing the bulk of the coaching, while 'Page hangs over the cage, occasionally adding his two cents, and getting his head shaved to resemble Kimbo.

These lessons come from the chapter entitled, "Be Their Friend, Not Their Coach." The subtitle for said chapter is, of course, "Besides, Tiki's Got This."

Fight day rolls around and there is Rogers, sitting in the training room, surrounded by his teammates and co...oh that's right, Rampage and the rest of the coaching staff needed to roll out and get food.

Coaching can certainly be a complex occupation with a lot of difficult decision, but is remaining with your fighter heading into the biggest fight of his life really one of those, "Should I Stay or Should I Go Now" moments The Clash was talking about?

Upon his return, Rampage offers up an instant apology, acknowledging that he or one of the other coaches should have stayed behind with Rogers. Too bad that understanding comes a few pages after the chapter, "Your Fighter is Fine and You Need to Eat."

The next great moment in the Coaching Clinic put on by Jackson came when Rogers was submitted via Anaconda choke in the first round. Here's a young fighter you're supposed to be helping, laying in the ring after suffering a tough loss and what does Coach Rampage do?

Nothing.

It's Team Rashad that comes to console the dejected Demico. Both Evans and coach Trevor Wittman come to offer support to the young fighter who knows a golden opportunity has passed him by, while Rampage sits on his stool, pondering how his fighter lost and tapped to an Anaconda choke.

He even hesitated at giving up the damn stool when Tiki wanted to bring it into the ring for Rogers, with Rampage saying he didn't feel Rogers needed the stool since the fight didn't even make it out of the first round.

These crucial coaching strategies can be found on page 197, in the chapter "If You Lose, I Ain't Helping."

Down 0-4 and obviously dejected, a frustrated Rampage calls an immediate coaches meeting.

The decision: We have to focus on fundamentals with these guys because they aren't at the same level of experience and talent that the veteran fighters and coaching standing in the room.

I would title this chapter, "You Don't Effin' Say?"

You can find your own copy of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's Guide to Coaching in the $2 Discount bin at your local bookstore.

Pick up a copy today...and do the exact opposite.

[Nade Dodger]

Great read, made me chuckle!

[FFFRpickup]

Originally Posted by ILuvGSP'sTights

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's Guide to Coaching | Bleacher Report

so true. I love Rampage but he shouldn't be coaching anybody for anything! He is worse than useless in the coaching dept. He is is a detriment to his fighters. They are actually destined to do worse in a fight. Heck I'll go as far as saying, if Rampage left right now Team Rampage would win the rest of the fights!

That said, I still pick Rampage over the "overratted..dancing fool" Rashad. Rashad can flap his gums all day saying "Rampage is afraid to fight me" all he wants.

[lwbrewer]

Rampage knowes he isn't a coach, but that doesn't mean he can't bring one in. If he does let them coach. If I want to teach my boy BJJ I'll go get a BJJ coach and not try it myself. Page doesn't have to be a great coach just bring one in and let them. No wonder he's had all the trouble he has in his life.

[Y2JUBAE]

Great fighter, horrible coach.

I really earned a lot of respect for Rashad for looking out for Rampage's fighters when Rampage showed zero concern for their well being after the fights. Kinda lost some respect for Rampage too.

[pantomime horse]

This may sound crazy, but I think this is the worst season yet of this show. Rampage 'retired' because he cannot take the mental abuse some dish out to him.

It's too bad. Rampage is too entertaining to go out like that. He's no coach, but he's a hell of a fighter. Hope he finds his way back.

Oh, and Rashad represents himself well on the show. I'm no fan, but he clearly understands the value of coach/fighter relationships.

[JadedX]

When you have a great coach such as Greg Jackson, than yeah, pretty much.

I still don't like Rashad. He comes off to me as a fake. A fraud. The things he does looks to me that he's doing all for TV, and it's audience. I can almost bet the farm that he's a total prick off-screen. Rampage on the otherhand, keeps it real, regardless if it's on-screen or off. Then again, their 'acts' could be all scripted. Who knows.

[Sniggles]

Rashad is Jesus. Rampage is the devil!



I liked Rampage for his easy-going jokester personality as well as his fighting style. But he is no longer the same person since America fell in love with him... and he fell in love with himself.

He comes off as a douche and a bully. Sorry bro, that wasn't just editing. Rampage thinks he can do whatever he wants... because well he did. He rampaged and got away with it. Humped some reporter got away with it. And well makes douchey comments and gets away with it. Hey there, I smiled so you can't get mad at me for what I just said to you. No really. It was funny. C'monnnn.