Shogun Rua says Rampage turned down title fight, faces tough test against Jones
by Jason Benfari on February 07, 2011

According to current UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Jon Jones wasn't the first option to replace Rashad Evans at UFC 128 when the former champion injured his knee in training.

Another former champion, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, was apparently the UFC's first choice to replace Evans, but Jackson declined the title shot for unspecified reasons choosing instead to stick with his current match up against Thiago Silva at UFC 130 in May.

"The UFC thought of other alternatives, but it didn't worked out," Rua told Tatame. "For some reason [Rampage Jackson] didn't accept it."

Contrary to statements Rua made at the UFC 126 post fight press conference, the champ went on to say that he will need to adjust his strategy to deal with the unique problems presented by Jones' diverse skill set and physical characteristics.

"I'll have to change my training because he's a lot different from Rashad, much taller, and it'll be a great challenge," Rua said. "He's been surprising everybody in the UFC, defeated everybody with ease, and it'll be a tough fight for me."

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 128 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!

 |  (13) Comments GO HARD: i heard Shogun is denying saying the comments about Rampage. GO HARD: weird shit is going on in the UFC... rumors were going around that rampage and rashad were fighting... thiago silva saying that he is fine... just weird shit. CONSPIRACY THEORY!!!! SicJits: did Thiago piss hot? haven't got his results back from 125? wtf? Ive never heard a sample B test taking so long. Rashad/page again? cmon that blows flyangler: I hope Page knocks Sheeds head off, if it has to happen again. I hope not though. And yes, I'm starting to buy into the CONSPIRACY THEORY, GH.:eek: D_V: Here's the thing. Rua likes to take shots at Rampage and wants to fight him so he's instigating a little bit here. Know why? because Rampage hit Wanderlei with a big bomb after he was already unconscious and had the KO in their last fight at UFC 92, might be the wrong number. Rua didn't like that. He wants to teach Rampage another lesson but he's too classy to flat out call Rampage a bitch for not accepting a title fight. I agree with Page about not wanting to go from 250 to 205 in 6 weeks but I also think he's a professional fighter that knew he was next in line for a title shot if something happened, and it has happened before, he wouldn't fight Rashad for a short notice title fight either, and so with prior information he should have kept himself near his fighting weight instead of being a fat idiot and ballooning up to 250. He's the bitch for being unprofessional. 6 weeks is plenty of time if you're not a fatty. it's his own fault for prostituting himself out for cheese burgers, and drinking whiskey poos with Mr Lahey. GO HARD: TPB?? whats that? q: /
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!