"Rampage" knocks out Silva in first
Irvine’s Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, less than six months removed from leading police on a dangerous car chase that ended with his arrest in Newport Beach and felony charges, rebounded from losing his UFC light-heavyweight title earlier this year to Forrest Griffin by knocking out his longtime nemesis Wanderlei Silva 3:21 into the first round Saturday night at UFC 92 in Las Vegas.
The pair spent most of the fight standing and posturing until the 32-year-old Silva (32-9-1) rushed forward toward Jackson.
Jackson (29-7), who had lost to Silva twice previously in the former PRIDE Fighting Championships, ducked Silva’s blow and unleashed a left hook that crushed Silva directly on the chin, leaving him unconscious and rendering three final Jackson thrown punches as a formality to the fight’s stoppage.
"Rampage" howled to all corners of the arena, and celebrated with his new England-based training crew, declaring "Rampage is back, baby." Asked if he was ready for the Griffin-Rashad Evans winner next, Jackson said it’s "up to the UFC," noting with a Jan. 8 preliminary hearing upcoming in Orange County Superior Court that he still has to "get my mind right."
-- Lance Pugmire
Photo: Quinton Jackson begins to celebrate his victory over Wanderlei Silva as the referee stops the bout by technical knockout. Credit: Eric Jamison / Associated Press
