Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Focused on “Destroying Glover Teixeira”

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson may be approaching his final fight in the UFC, but he’s definitely taking it seriously.

In the past, Jackson has been accused of taking a somewhat lackadaisical approach to training, and even he has admitted that it’s not easy to get up every day and head to the gym for several hours.

Following his last fight in Japan however, Jackson says he learned a valuable lesson about listening to his body about when to compete and when not to compete, and it’s made him better as he moves forward in his career.

“Me losing my last fight due to an injury to such a weak opponent like Ryan Bader, I’ve got excuses for every loss I have, but you could tell I was injured,” Jackson told Inside MMA on Monday.

“But me losing to a guy like Ryan Bader has really lit a fire up under my ass. Now I’m staying in shape, I’m training all the time.”

A dislocated ankle kept Jackson from facing Glover Teixeira at UFC 153 in Brazil, and that was a clear case of the former UFC champion deciding to worry about health more than stepping into the cage for a fight.

“I’m not fighting injured no more,” said Jackson.

Now healthy again, Jackson has been training non-stop as he awaits word on a date for his next, and possibly final fight, in the UFC against Teixiera. It’s a fight that Jackson wants desperately, and he wants to serve notice that “Rampage” isn’t done just yet.

Jackson has been none too quiet about his desire to test free agency after his next fight in the UFC is over, and while he’s not bashing them as a company, he wants to see what other opportunities exist for him as a fighter and performer.

“I want to see what else is out there, I want to see if the grass is greener on the other side. I want to see. This is the last fight on my contract and I’m going to destroy Glover. My main focus is destroying Glover Teixeira,” said Jackson.

“UFC is a great company, I just don’t feel they are doing great things for me.”

Check out the rest of the interview with “Rampage” Jackson below where he also addresses Chael Sonnen‘s recent placement as TUF 17 coach against Jon Jones: