July 9, 2024 • 3hr 7min
JRE MMA Show #159 with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
The Joe Rogan Experience
Key Takeaways
- Rampage Jackson reflects on his MMA career, including memorable fights and training experiences
- He discusses the evolution of MMA and differences between organizations like Pride, UFC, and Bellator
- Rampage shares his thoughts on performance-enhancing drugs in combat sports
- He talks about his podcast and transition to media after fighting
- Joe and Rampage discuss topics like COVID-19 treatments, UFOs, and government conspiracies
Introduction
Joe Rogan sits down with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Pride FC veteran. They discuss Rampage's storied MMA career, the evolution of the sport, and a wide range of other topics. Rampage reflects on memorable fights and moments from his time in Pride and the UFC, while also sharing his thoughts on the current state of MMA. The conversation covers everything from performance-enhancing drugs to government conspiracies.
Topics Discussed
Rampage's Early MMA Career (2:23)
Rampage recalls his first professional MMA fight against Marvin Eastman in 2000, which Joe Rogan attended. He explains how he was misled about Eastman's skills:
- Rampage was told Eastman was "just a kickboxer" when he actually had strong wrestling skills
- It was only a 2-week notice fight for Rampage
- Eastman kicked Rampage in the head, which he says was the only time that ever happened in his career
"I learned the lesson. Never got kicked in the head again," Rampage says about the experience.
Pride FC Days and Japanese MMA Culture (4:22)
They discuss Rampage's time fighting in Pride FC and the unique culture of Japanese MMA:
- Pride events would sell out 90,000 seat stadiums
- Rampage would be featured on the front page of Japanese newspapers after fights
- The Yakuza (Japanese organized crime) had connections to Pride
- Rampage recalls seeing Yakuza members backstage and people bowing to them
"That s**t over there, bro, it was crazy," Rampage says about the Pride FC environment.
Memorable Fights and Moments (12:41)
Rampage reflects on some of the most memorable moments from his career:
- His iconic slam KO of Ricardo Arona in Pride
- Fighting Wanderlei Silva and their intense rivalry
- Knocking out Chuck Liddell to win the UFC Light Heavyweight title
- His fights with Dan Henderson and Forrest Griffin in the UFC
On the Arona slam, Rampage says: "All he had to do is let go of my head. I couldn't have picked him up."
Performance-Enhancing Drugs in MMA (20:55)
Joe and Rampage discuss the prevalence of PEDs in MMA, especially in Pride FC:
- Pride contracts explicitly stated they did not test for steroids
- Many fighters Rampage faced were likely using PEDs
- Rampage maintains he never used steroids despite accusations
- They debate the ethics of PED use in combat sports vs other sports
"I'm against it because I fought a few guys that was on steroids when I was fighting in Pride," Rampage states.
Evolution of MMA Training and Techniques (46:55)
They discuss how MMA training and techniques have evolved over the years:
- Early fighters usually specialized in one discipline (wrestling, BJJ, etc.)
- Modern fighters enter the UFC already well-rounded in all aspects
- Rampage talks about adding Muay Thai to his skillset after early fights
- The importance of adapting and evolving as a fighter
"I never was good at one art. When I put them together, that's when I felt like I was...I come together," Rampage explains about his fighting style.
Rampage's Spiritual Experience and Born-Again Christianity (40:36)
Rampage shares a deeply personal story about a spiritual experience that led him to become a born-again Christian:
- He had a vivid dream/vision that scared him deeply
- His young son had a related dream the same night
- This experience led Rampage to pray and have a spiritual awakening
- It dramatically changed his personality and approach to life/fighting
"Within two minutes, I was laughing and crying at the same time. And I received the Holy Ghost spirit, and I wasn't afraid anymore to go use the restroom. My eyes were different. Everything was different," Rampage recalls about the experience.
Transitioning to Podcasting and Media (2:37:55)
Rampage talks about his podcast "Jaxxon" and transitioning to media work after fighting:
- He was hesitant to start a podcast at first
- His friend Barrett handles the technical aspects so Rampage can focus on talking
- They discuss the challenges and opportunities of podcasting
"People were asking me to do it for years, and I was like, man, I don't have the drive to do that s**t myself. But my friend Barrett, he got everything set up, and he does everything, and I just come and sit down," Rampage explains.
COVID-19 Treatments and Media Controversies (2:41:03)
Joe and Rampage discuss the controversies around COVID-19 treatments like Ivermectin:
- Rampage supports the use of Ivermectin based on personal experience
- They criticize mainstream media coverage of alternative treatments
- Joe defends his own use of Ivermectin and other treatments when he had COVID
"I swear by it. I knew when you talked about it, I knew you was right, because I had learned about it, like, a while ago," Rampage says about Ivermectin.
UFOs and Government Conspiracies (2:50:48)
The conversation turns to UFOs and various conspiracy theories:
- Joe believes there is likely alien life in the universe given its vastness
- They discuss the possibility of underwater alien bases
- Rampage is skeptical of many UFO claims but open to possibilities
- They talk about Eddie Bravo's conspiracy theories and which ones may have merit
"I think there are extraterrestrials, but I don't think they're from outer space...they come from the water," Rampage theorizes.
Conclusion
The wide-ranging conversation between Joe Rogan and Rampage Jackson offers fascinating insights into the world of MMA and Rampage's colorful career. From reflecting on iconic fights to discussing spiritual experiences, the episode covers a broad spectrum of topics. Rampage's honesty and humor shine through as he shares stories from his fighting days and thoughts on current events. The podcast provides an entertaining blend of MMA history, personal anecdotes, and discussions of broader cultural issues.
