Bellator Japan: “Rampage” Jackson Takes Verbal Jab at “Naysayers” of Fight With Fedor Emelianenko

Two of Bellator’s most accomplished fighters and biggest stars, Fedor Emelianenko and “Rampage” Jackson, are going to throw hands at the promotion’s latest event on Saturday. If you’re not interested in the contest, since both men are nearing the finish line of their careers, “Rampage” recently had a response for you.

Jackson responds to the “naysayers”

Due to the careers both Jackson and Emelianenko have had, and because both men remain extremely dangerous, chances are most fans are interested in the headliner for Bellator Japan. That said, because Fedor is now 43, and Jackson is 41, not everyone is invested in the fight.

Well, while talking to the media recently, Jackson had this to say in a response to the fight’s critics (quote via MMA Junkie):

“This is a special moment in MMA history no matter what the naysayers say,” Jackson said. “The guys who are never going to do anything in their lives, the never-has-beens who want to say about two old guys getting in there – the true MMA fans are going to win because there’s not going to be a loser. There’s not going to be a loser. No matter who gets their hand raised, there’s not going to be a loser because when two legends get in there, and do what they love, and put on a show, the fans win.”

Now, sure, there’s no denying that Jackson and Fedor are no longer at the peak of their powers, and it’s unfortunate they never fought say, in a PRIDE grand prix back in the day. But, at the end of the day, we are talking about two of the biggest names in the sport, and it will likely feature some memorable exchanges right out of the gate. So, it’s hard to argue with Jackson’s contention that the “fans win”.

That said, if both men come out firing big punches and gas early, then sure, we could end up having a lackluster fight. But, Fedor’s only had one fight go beyond the first round since 2016.

Jackson comments on facing “The Last Emperor”

No matter what happens here on out in Fedor’s career, he will always be regarded as one of the best heavyweights of all time. While discussing what it’s like to face one of the legends of the sport, Jackson said this:

“It’s been kind of hard for me to mentally prepare and get ready for this fight because you guys know how I like to knock people out, my team’s like, ‘Oh, you got to knock him out, you got to knock him out,’ and me being a big fan of Fedor, I’m thinking that’s the last thing he needs is to get knocked out right away and stuff like that, but none of that matters because when I get in that cage, ‘Rampage’ don’t have no friends. I don’t even like that mother (expletive). Nobody likes ‘Rampage,’ ‘Rampage’ don’t like nobody, so it don’t matter.”

We shall see what happens. Bellator 237 is being hosted by the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.