On May 26, 2007 Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will attempt to do what few others have done, defeat Chuck Liddell in a Mixed Martial Arts match. Luckily for Rampage, he is one of those chosen few. Quinton Jackson, along with Jeremy Horn and Randy Couture are Chuck Liddell's only losses on an otherwise unblemished MMA record. Quinton Jackson defeated Chuck Liddell in a Pride tournament match in 2003, can he do it again?
Certainly if you look at the won/loss record of these two figthers, they are evenly matched. Quinton, like Liddell has only lost to the best of the best. Even Chuck Liddell's own trainer admits that Quinton Jackson doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. Then again, either does Chuck. Let's try to break down the keys to victory for each fighter.
Quinton Rampage Jackson keys to victory.
1) Don't back up after getting hit. Fighters who turtle, back up or just cover up when fighting Chuck Liddell do not fair very well. Tito Ortiz has been caught in both of his fights against Liddell doing exactly that. The problem with covering up to weather the storm against Chuck is that the storm comes from all angles, all big power shots and it doesn't stop until you are TKO'd.
2) Take Chuck down, but not until you have him hurt or tired. The best way to defeat Chuck Liddell is on the ground, whether it is submitting him (like Jeremy Horn), or ground and pounding him like Quinton Jackson or Randy Couture did. The problem is that Chuck has the best take down defense in the sport. Hurt him first or catch him when he's winded, he will go down. Once he's down, take advantage, Chuck gets up off the ground extremely well sometimes using the cage as leverage. Once Chuck is down, keep him there and don't stop throwing punches.
3) Try to avoid getting hit, but if you do, fire back. Chuck throws long looping power shots, a good puncher should (in theory) be able to counter between them and tag Chuck. The problem is that Chuck takes a punch very very well, recovers quickly if hurt and when he hits you he hits you hard.
4) Use your knees in the clinch. If Quinton Rampage Jackson manages to clinch with Chuck, he should attempt to soften him up with knees. Jackson uses his knees well and a good knee could bring Chuck to the ground.
Chuck Liddell keys to victory.
1) Chuck needs to keep this standing, if it does go to the ground he needs to be on top. Quinton is just too strong a guy and Chuck doesn't work as well as some from his back.
2) Avoid the clinch. Chuck lands a good shot when breaking from the clinch and this is what he should do, if Quinton grabs on, Chuck should push away and throw the uppercut. The problem is that Quinton also does this very well, just ask Marvin Eastman.
3) Finish early. In other words, if Chuck gets Quinton hurt he should pounce. He doesn't want this to go into round 4 or 5 with someone like Jackson. A late slam could be the difference between victory and defeat in this fight.
4) Use leg kicks. Chuck Liddell has great kicks, but usually finishes people with punches. Don't attempt the high kicks and risk the take down, but use lots of leg kicks to make sure that Jackson doesn't have that pop later in the fight.
On paper, this is an excellent fight. Two exciting fighters who love to go at it. Chuck Liddell believes that he can finish Quinton Jackson early, he thinks it will be completely different than the first fight. Quinton Jackson says it's just another day at the office. We'll see who's right on May 26th.
Certainly if you look at the won/loss record of these two figthers, they are evenly matched. Quinton, like Liddell has only lost to the best of the best. Even Chuck Liddell's own trainer admits that Quinton Jackson doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. Then again, either does Chuck. Let's try to break down the keys to victory for each fighter.
Quinton Rampage Jackson keys to victory.
1) Don't back up after getting hit. Fighters who turtle, back up or just cover up when fighting Chuck Liddell do not fair very well. Tito Ortiz has been caught in both of his fights against Liddell doing exactly that. The problem with covering up to weather the storm against Chuck is that the storm comes from all angles, all big power shots and it doesn't stop until you are TKO'd.
2) Take Chuck down, but not until you have him hurt or tired. The best way to defeat Chuck Liddell is on the ground, whether it is submitting him (like Jeremy Horn), or ground and pounding him like Quinton Jackson or Randy Couture did. The problem is that Chuck has the best take down defense in the sport. Hurt him first or catch him when he's winded, he will go down. Once he's down, take advantage, Chuck gets up off the ground extremely well sometimes using the cage as leverage. Once Chuck is down, keep him there and don't stop throwing punches.
3) Try to avoid getting hit, but if you do, fire back. Chuck throws long looping power shots, a good puncher should (in theory) be able to counter between them and tag Chuck. The problem is that Chuck takes a punch very very well, recovers quickly if hurt and when he hits you he hits you hard.
4) Use your knees in the clinch. If Quinton Rampage Jackson manages to clinch with Chuck, he should attempt to soften him up with knees. Jackson uses his knees well and a good knee could bring Chuck to the ground.
Chuck Liddell keys to victory.
1) Chuck needs to keep this standing, if it does go to the ground he needs to be on top. Quinton is just too strong a guy and Chuck doesn't work as well as some from his back.
2) Avoid the clinch. Chuck lands a good shot when breaking from the clinch and this is what he should do, if Quinton grabs on, Chuck should push away and throw the uppercut. The problem is that Quinton also does this very well, just ask Marvin Eastman.
3) Finish early. In other words, if Chuck gets Quinton hurt he should pounce. He doesn't want this to go into round 4 or 5 with someone like Jackson. A late slam could be the difference between victory and defeat in this fight.
4) Use leg kicks. Chuck Liddell has great kicks, but usually finishes people with punches. Don't attempt the high kicks and risk the take down, but use lots of leg kicks to make sure that Jackson doesn't have that pop later in the fight.
On paper, this is an excellent fight. Two exciting fighters who love to go at it. Chuck Liddell believes that he can finish Quinton Jackson early, he thinks it will be completely different than the first fight. Quinton Jackson says it's just another day at the office. We'll see who's right on May 26th.
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