He's amongst the most recognizable athletes of the sport. His charisma has allured fans for years. They come out in droves to watch cards with his name on the marquee. The perfect drawing power for an MMA competitor, personality and Jackson's stirring, brawling style in the cage.
Despite his mass appeal, he is polarizing figure. From being chased by police in his Ford F-250 pick-up truck, to his infamous tantrums, disrespecting of the media and all fellow human beings, and his fallout with the UFC, Rampage Jackson has become the greatest of heels the sport has known. The antithesis of a bully, he pokes and prods people, lashing out at whoever treats him the same. Watch what happens when Jackson picks on someone, who won't back down.
Will this match up with M'Pumbu be Jackson's road back to the title? It's designed to be of course. Bjorn Rebney couldn't be happier witnessing a character of his magnitude, with one of Bellator's titles strapped around his waste.
Christian M'Pumbu stands in the way Friday night. A recent newbie to American audiences, M'Pumbu is a former Bellator champ, that even has a win over Stefan Struve from back in his European circuit days. He is a far cry though from an athlete who should be able to take on Rampage Jackson.
It could be entertaining however, if he chooses to stand in front of Jackson, laying it all on the line trading blows. With this scenario we could catch an upset. Take a look at M'Pumbu winning the title by KO, to get a real sense that this meeting could be fireworks.
It could be entertaining however, if he chooses to stand in front of Jackson, laying it all on the line trading blows. With this scenario we could catch an upset. Take a look at M'Pumbu winning the title by KO, to get a real sense that this meeting could be fireworks.
Regardless of how the fight turns out, Rampage Jackson is expected to win. Far from the fighter he used to be, he will always have that drawing power, the allure that Bellator knew full well when signing him.
A member of some of the more memorable moment in the last decade of MMA, Jackson will always be a perennial favorite. Audiences do love to route for the bad guy. I have to admit I won't miss one of his fights.
No comments:
Post a Comment