Name Goes Here
08-22-2007, 07:23 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/rampage-henderson-training-1816647-fight-ufc
FIGHT BLOG: Rampage, Henderson media days
The two champs prepare for their unification fight at UFC 75 on Sept. 8
By CARLOS ARIAS
The Orange County Register
RAMPAGE MEDIA DAY
BIG BEAR CITY - I got a chance to visit Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's training camp in Big Bear on Monday morning.
I had to get up the mountain to check out the UFC light-heavyweight champion before he heads across the pond for his unification fight against PRIDE champion Dan Henderson on Sept. 8 at UFC 75 in England.
Rampage's training session was supposed to start at 12:30 p.m. It was 11:45 a.m. and I was stuck on the 10 freeway, and it wasn't moving. I'm not talking barely moving, I mean, NOT moving.
I called UFC publicist Rachel Trontel, who was bringing a van-load of media members from L.A. They were stuck in the same traffic, and they were behind me, so there was no way any of us were going to make it up the mountain by 12:30 p.m.
We arrived at Rampage's training camp an hour late. He was already done training for the day. He had started earlier in the morning, so we would have missed his workout even if we made it on time.
Rampage and his trainer, Juanito Ibarra, were eager to get off the mountain. They were leaving for England on Tuesday. Rampage wanted to see his kids before heading to the U.K. for his final two weeks of training.
Rampage was very laid back, calm and playful with interviewers as usual.
A CBS camera crew wanted Rampage to cut a promo for their channel, and Rampage said he needed to get paid for any promos. The CBS guy is speechless, not realizing that Rampage was kidding.
During my interview with Rampage he said his training has been going great. He has been training just as hard as before he won the title. He said some of Henderson's guys have been trying to spy on his training sessions.
TUF 3 winner Michael Bisping, Cheick Kongo and Brandon Vera were among those he has been training and sparring with. He also revealed he spent a couple of weeks in Las Vegas training with UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture, who used to be teammates with Henderson at Team Quest. I wonder what Henderson thinks about his old pal helping out Rampage. I'll ask Henderson about that on Tuesday when I visit his training camp.
I asked Juanito about the recent additions of Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua to the UFC. Silva beat Rampage twice and Rua also holds a victory over him. Those fights were held in the PRIDE ring in Japan. Juanito said he believes Silva and Rua had "extra help" when they fought Rampage. He didn't spell out exactly what that extra help was. But our conversation quickly turned to the fact there was no athletic commission or steroid testing when they fought in Japan. Juanito said the outcome will be much different when they meet in the U.S.
Juanito said he won't allow any of his fighters to use supplements, creatine or any other concoctions even if they are sold over the counter. He wants his fighters to be clean. If anybody brings any strange supplements into his camp, he said he will kick them off the mountain. He even monitors everything they eat.
Juanito said he wants Rampage to take a six-month break after the Henderson fight, which will be his third fight of the year. Juanito said he is shopping a Rampage reality show, which is being bid on by MTV, Spike and A&E. Rampage also is getting offers for role sin movies.
Bisping said he forged a friendship with Rampage after hanging out and "sharing some pints" together in England after UFC events earlier this year. Bisping expressed an interest in training with Juanito and Rampage and that's how they got together.
Juanito said Bisping is destined to be a UFC champion. He hinted that Bisping might be moving out of the 205-pound weight class in the future. Bisping confirmed he believes he can make the 185-pound limit. Bisping's dynamic striking and the added strength he would have at a lower weight class would make him a serious force, as if he weren't a force already. Bisping said he has a nine-fight contract with the UFC and he wants to take his time moving up the ladder and improving with each fight.
Bisping faces his TUF 3 rival Matt Hammil on the Rampage-Henderson undercard at UFC 75. It's some unfinished business he has to take care of. Bisping said he always felt slighted by Tito Ortiz, his coach on TUF 3, because Ortiz took Hammil under his wing. Bisping said Hammil is a one-dimensional wrestler and he plans to expose him at UFC 75.
Juanito said Kongo's ground skills are much improved considering he had "no ground skills whatsoever" when they started working together. Juanito said don't be surprised if Kongo upsets Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at UFC 75.
Four-time world champion Sugar Shane Mosley stopped by Rampage's camp. Shane and Rampage have become friends in recent years. Shane said he finds MMA very exciting, especially Rampage's fights. I bring up Shane's Nov. 10 fight against Miguel Cotto at MSG. Shane starts salivating. "He's tailormade for me," Shane said about facing Cotto.
Those of us that were hoping to get some video of Rampage in action were disappointed that we missed his training session. I plead my case with Rampage and he agrees to do some shadowboxing in the cage for us.
Rampage is off to England. He will spend the final two weeks training at Bisping's camp, the Wolfslair. That will give him plenty of time to get acclimated to the time change and the conditions overseas.
HENDO MEDIA DAY
MURRIETA - No traffic problems on Tuesday on the way to media day with Dan Henderson at Team Quest in Murrieta.
Henderson is one of the kindest people I have met in the fight game. He is a down to earth family man that happens to be one of the toughest fighters in MMA.
This is a stressful time for the Henderson family. Henderson's wife, Alison, is pregnant with their third child. She is due to have a c-section next week, then Henderson will leave for England a day later on Sept. 3. The Henderson's moved Alison's c-section up a week, so Dan could be there for his wife.
Henderson said he had asked for the fight to be held in November or even the Sept. 22 date at the Honda Center, but he said UFC president Dana White insisted the fight would have to be on Sept. 8.
Henderson is the consumate professional, so he is dealing with the situation. Alison said she wished she could give her husband more attention and support like she has for his past fights.
I notice a blood-stained canvas hanging on the wall of the Team Quest gym. It's from PRIDE: Shockwave 2005 when Henderson beat Murilo Bustamante in the PRIDE 183-pound Grand Prix finals. "That's some of my blood on that canvas," Henderson said. He said he also has the canvas from PRIDE 33 when he defeated Wanderlei Silva. Now, that's what I call a piece of memorabilia.
Henderson said he expects a standup battle when he faces Rampage. He doesn't believe Rampage's size will be a factor because he has usually been the smaller fighter in most of his fights.
I told Henderson that Rampage spent a few weeks training with Couture. "I guess you find out who your real friends are," Henderson said.
I asked Henderson about Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, a Team Quest fighter who has stormed onto the MMA scene with first-round KOs over Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira this year. Henderson said Sokoudjou will probably end up on the K-1 HERO'S card in September.
I asked Henderson about his kids, Reese, 6, and Sierra, 8. He said Reese started wrestling last summer and he's doing pretty well. I'm guessing that kid came out of the womb scoring takedowns. Dan said Sierra also is an athlete, but she will probably end up in track and field because of her speed.
Henderson finished off media day with some light work on the mits for the cameras. He looked sharp as he rattled off combinations.
One photographer asked Henderson what the big tractor tire, which weighs between 500-600 pounds, in the middle of the gym is for. Henderson said he lifts the tire and topples it all the way across the room during circuit training. Then he proceeds to demonstrate how he does it. This is one bad dude.
After checking out both training camps, I am convinced Jackson-Henderson will be an extremely exciting fight. I believe Jackson has the edge because of his size and strength. Henderson's overhand right is vicious and could end the fight at any time. I'm leaning towards Rampage. One thing is for sure, this fight probably won't go the distance the way these guys bang.
Keep punching,
Los
Some interesting comments there. Wanderlei's 'extra help'. Not even Creatine. Bisping going down to 185 etc
FIGHT BLOG: Rampage, Henderson media days
The two champs prepare for their unification fight at UFC 75 on Sept. 8
By CARLOS ARIAS
The Orange County Register
RAMPAGE MEDIA DAY
BIG BEAR CITY - I got a chance to visit Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's training camp in Big Bear on Monday morning.
I had to get up the mountain to check out the UFC light-heavyweight champion before he heads across the pond for his unification fight against PRIDE champion Dan Henderson on Sept. 8 at UFC 75 in England.
Rampage's training session was supposed to start at 12:30 p.m. It was 11:45 a.m. and I was stuck on the 10 freeway, and it wasn't moving. I'm not talking barely moving, I mean, NOT moving.
I called UFC publicist Rachel Trontel, who was bringing a van-load of media members from L.A. They were stuck in the same traffic, and they were behind me, so there was no way any of us were going to make it up the mountain by 12:30 p.m.
We arrived at Rampage's training camp an hour late. He was already done training for the day. He had started earlier in the morning, so we would have missed his workout even if we made it on time.
Rampage and his trainer, Juanito Ibarra, were eager to get off the mountain. They were leaving for England on Tuesday. Rampage wanted to see his kids before heading to the U.K. for his final two weeks of training.
Rampage was very laid back, calm and playful with interviewers as usual.
A CBS camera crew wanted Rampage to cut a promo for their channel, and Rampage said he needed to get paid for any promos. The CBS guy is speechless, not realizing that Rampage was kidding.
During my interview with Rampage he said his training has been going great. He has been training just as hard as before he won the title. He said some of Henderson's guys have been trying to spy on his training sessions.
TUF 3 winner Michael Bisping, Cheick Kongo and Brandon Vera were among those he has been training and sparring with. He also revealed he spent a couple of weeks in Las Vegas training with UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture, who used to be teammates with Henderson at Team Quest. I wonder what Henderson thinks about his old pal helping out Rampage. I'll ask Henderson about that on Tuesday when I visit his training camp.
I asked Juanito about the recent additions of Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua to the UFC. Silva beat Rampage twice and Rua also holds a victory over him. Those fights were held in the PRIDE ring in Japan. Juanito said he believes Silva and Rua had "extra help" when they fought Rampage. He didn't spell out exactly what that extra help was. But our conversation quickly turned to the fact there was no athletic commission or steroid testing when they fought in Japan. Juanito said the outcome will be much different when they meet in the U.S.
Juanito said he won't allow any of his fighters to use supplements, creatine or any other concoctions even if they are sold over the counter. He wants his fighters to be clean. If anybody brings any strange supplements into his camp, he said he will kick them off the mountain. He even monitors everything they eat.
Juanito said he wants Rampage to take a six-month break after the Henderson fight, which will be his third fight of the year. Juanito said he is shopping a Rampage reality show, which is being bid on by MTV, Spike and A&E. Rampage also is getting offers for role sin movies.
Bisping said he forged a friendship with Rampage after hanging out and "sharing some pints" together in England after UFC events earlier this year. Bisping expressed an interest in training with Juanito and Rampage and that's how they got together.
Juanito said Bisping is destined to be a UFC champion. He hinted that Bisping might be moving out of the 205-pound weight class in the future. Bisping confirmed he believes he can make the 185-pound limit. Bisping's dynamic striking and the added strength he would have at a lower weight class would make him a serious force, as if he weren't a force already. Bisping said he has a nine-fight contract with the UFC and he wants to take his time moving up the ladder and improving with each fight.
Bisping faces his TUF 3 rival Matt Hammil on the Rampage-Henderson undercard at UFC 75. It's some unfinished business he has to take care of. Bisping said he always felt slighted by Tito Ortiz, his coach on TUF 3, because Ortiz took Hammil under his wing. Bisping said Hammil is a one-dimensional wrestler and he plans to expose him at UFC 75.
Juanito said Kongo's ground skills are much improved considering he had "no ground skills whatsoever" when they started working together. Juanito said don't be surprised if Kongo upsets Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at UFC 75.
Four-time world champion Sugar Shane Mosley stopped by Rampage's camp. Shane and Rampage have become friends in recent years. Shane said he finds MMA very exciting, especially Rampage's fights. I bring up Shane's Nov. 10 fight against Miguel Cotto at MSG. Shane starts salivating. "He's tailormade for me," Shane said about facing Cotto.
Those of us that were hoping to get some video of Rampage in action were disappointed that we missed his training session. I plead my case with Rampage and he agrees to do some shadowboxing in the cage for us.
Rampage is off to England. He will spend the final two weeks training at Bisping's camp, the Wolfslair. That will give him plenty of time to get acclimated to the time change and the conditions overseas.
HENDO MEDIA DAY
MURRIETA - No traffic problems on Tuesday on the way to media day with Dan Henderson at Team Quest in Murrieta.
Henderson is one of the kindest people I have met in the fight game. He is a down to earth family man that happens to be one of the toughest fighters in MMA.
This is a stressful time for the Henderson family. Henderson's wife, Alison, is pregnant with their third child. She is due to have a c-section next week, then Henderson will leave for England a day later on Sept. 3. The Henderson's moved Alison's c-section up a week, so Dan could be there for his wife.
Henderson said he had asked for the fight to be held in November or even the Sept. 22 date at the Honda Center, but he said UFC president Dana White insisted the fight would have to be on Sept. 8.
Henderson is the consumate professional, so he is dealing with the situation. Alison said she wished she could give her husband more attention and support like she has for his past fights.
I notice a blood-stained canvas hanging on the wall of the Team Quest gym. It's from PRIDE: Shockwave 2005 when Henderson beat Murilo Bustamante in the PRIDE 183-pound Grand Prix finals. "That's some of my blood on that canvas," Henderson said. He said he also has the canvas from PRIDE 33 when he defeated Wanderlei Silva. Now, that's what I call a piece of memorabilia.
Henderson said he expects a standup battle when he faces Rampage. He doesn't believe Rampage's size will be a factor because he has usually been the smaller fighter in most of his fights.
I told Henderson that Rampage spent a few weeks training with Couture. "I guess you find out who your real friends are," Henderson said.
I asked Henderson about Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, a Team Quest fighter who has stormed onto the MMA scene with first-round KOs over Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira this year. Henderson said Sokoudjou will probably end up on the K-1 HERO'S card in September.
I asked Henderson about his kids, Reese, 6, and Sierra, 8. He said Reese started wrestling last summer and he's doing pretty well. I'm guessing that kid came out of the womb scoring takedowns. Dan said Sierra also is an athlete, but she will probably end up in track and field because of her speed.
Henderson finished off media day with some light work on the mits for the cameras. He looked sharp as he rattled off combinations.
One photographer asked Henderson what the big tractor tire, which weighs between 500-600 pounds, in the middle of the gym is for. Henderson said he lifts the tire and topples it all the way across the room during circuit training. Then he proceeds to demonstrate how he does it. This is one bad dude.
After checking out both training camps, I am convinced Jackson-Henderson will be an extremely exciting fight. I believe Jackson has the edge because of his size and strength. Henderson's overhand right is vicious and could end the fight at any time. I'm leaning towards Rampage. One thing is for sure, this fight probably won't go the distance the way these guys bang.
Keep punching,
Los
Some interesting comments there. Wanderlei's 'extra help'. Not even Creatine. Bisping going down to 185 etc