By Cody Roark
Contributing Writer for Telegraph Local | See The Dad of All Trades
Fedor Emelianenko bests Rampage Jackson at yesterday’s Bellator matchup. Rampage vows to fight on despite the loss. Quintin “Rampage” Jackson walked into Bellator 237 at a career-high fighting weight to faceoff against Fedor Emelianenko, tipping the scale at 265 pounds. The change in weight class didn’t prove to benefit Rampage as he suffered a first-round knockout from Emelianenko.
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Saturday’s headliner for Bellator 237, at Saitama Super Arena in Japan, marked the first time since 2005 that “Rampage” had been stopped with strikes. It also marked the first time in his career a stoppage loss stemmed mainly from punches.
The former UFC champion took to Instagram to address the fans after the fight. “Sorry guys we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, but you know what, I knew one of us was going to get knocked out,” Jackson said. “But I didn’t know it was going to be [expletive] me. But you know what? I ain’t mad, though. You win some, you lose some. You get paid for all. Y’all remember that.”
During the fight, Rampage was slow and moved heavily. He had trouble landing strikes on Emelianenko throughout the short bout. Fans, media, and even fellow fighters expressed their opinions that his weight may have had a lot to do with the loss. Jackson has a reputation for being able to take a punishment, however, no one can take a beating and not strike back. Jackson and his team have expressed that they know he needs to get back down to light heavyweight, where he reigned in the UFC for so long.
Fedor Emelianenko, considered by many to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time, was looking dangerous in Tokyo. He moved quickly in and out with powerful punches and overwhelmed the former UFC light-heavyweight champ. Emelianenko dropped Jackson with a punch, and after Jackson collapsed face first, the fight was called off 2:44 into the first round.
After the match, Emelianenko announced it would probably be his last fight in Japan. He said he would like to fight again in the United States and Russia as he finishes his career out. Bellator president, Scott Coker, mentioned after the fight that he would like to match Emelianenko against Josh Barnett next. Barnett was supposed to return to the octagon after a three-year hiatus last week, however, he had to pull out of the fight due to sickness.
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Another Bellator main event is in the books and it was quite the fight, despite the length. First-round knockouts are always a crowd-pleaser. Both fighters walk away in good spirits and already have the next fight on their minds. Emelianenko with the end of his career on his mind and Rampage with getting back to his prime weight class. We shall see how both fighters perform over the coming months and if Jackson will reach his goal so we can see the legendary knockout artist back on top.
