Rampage Jackson Has a Message: Ignore the Talk About Lack of Determination

No.1 contender and UFC 135 main event fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has constantly dealt with questions about his focus and determination in relation to his training and fighting. Needless to say, this has made “Rampage” grumpy from time to time.

As recently as the UFC 135 press conference, which took place place in July, “Rampage” deflected critics and said that it “pisses him off” when people talk about how he shows a lack of determination. Well, it appears gears have shifted and Jackson is actively trying to prove his determination and focus haven’t strayed away from fighting.

In a video the fighter posted on YouTube.com, Jackson laid out a message to his fans advising not to listen to what others say about doubting his drive towards regaining the UFC light heavyweight title he lost in 2008.

Jackson promises to deliver at UFC 135.

“I just want all my fans to know, don’t worry about a thing. I got this,” Jackson said in the clip. “I’m training hard. This is the hardest I’ve trained in a long time. I’m taking it very, very serious. Don’t worry about things people are saying out there.

“Y’all are going to see the best ‘Rampage’ you’ve seen in a long time. I’m going to deliver on that.”

Jackson, who typically trains at the Wolf’s Lair gym in the United Kingdom, moved his camp to Denver in order to train for a shot at the 205-pound title held by the young and unpredictable Jon Jones. The setting for camp – which is the 30,000-square-foot Muscle Pharm training facility – not only plays the role of Jackson’s day-to-day office for work, but also his home. The former light heavyweight champ has spent his time living in an assigned room instead of the comforts of a five-star hotel.

The current residence gives Jackson all the bare necessities to live according to what’s best towards focusing on preparation for Jones. According to Jackson, it’s a stretch, even for him.

He’s roughing it in an effort to get that belt back.

“I’m up here in the Muscle Pharm training facility in Denver,” he said. “I’m stay at the gym. This is like roughing it for me, but I’m doing it.

“I want that belt back. That belt will be mine. It will be. I see it already. I’m very confident.”

When breaking down his UFC 135 opponent, “Rampage” takes a page out of Georges St-Pierre’s book and doesn’t seem very “impressed with his performance.” He recognizes Jones is a good fighter, but doesn’t feel he’s faced anyone that can truly test him.

Even Jones’ win over former UFC champion and Pride superstar Mauricio “Shogun” Rua isn’t all that impressive to Jackson. As a someone who knows fighting, “Rampage” feels the Rua that met Jones at UFC 128 wasn’t the same one that earned the title from Lyoto Machida at UFC 113, more so a battered champion coming off an injury.

The height, reach and unique arsenal that Jones owns are all things that Jackson is aware of, but they apparently don’t worry him to any extent.

Regardless, “Rampage” knows the UFC 135 main event will be a good match-up.

“Jon Jones is a good fighter, man, but the toughest person he ever fought (is) Vladimir Matushenko,” claimed Jackson. “But I could tell Vladimir wasn’t on his game that day. And ‘Shogun.’ Come on, Shogun just (came off of) a long injury, (hadn’t) fought for a while. That wasn’t the same ‘Shogun’ that won the belt, you know what I’m saying? Everybody knows that. If you know fighting, you know that.

“This guy has never been tested, never been hit. I ain’t worried about his height, his reach. I ain’t worried about none of that. I ain’t worried about his crazy spinning elbow move, everything. We broke this guy down. It’s going to be a good fight, no matter what.”

The message was loud and clear: Jackson doesn’t want you to believe he’s not determined to get the job done against Jones. The driving force behind him is the people he cares about; the people that have been there since the beginning.

Those people, according to Jackson, are the true “Rampage” fans.

“This is for my fans that (have stood) behind me since day one. Y’all the fans I care about.”

Follow @Erik_Fontanez on Twitter or e-mail Erik Fontanez.
For more UFC News and UFC Rumors, follow MMAWeekly.com on Twitterand Facebook.