An Exclusive Interview With Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

Rampage Jackson/Photo: UFC

When Quinton Jackson dropped in to check out the Marc Ecko empire (rockin' G-Unit gear no less) en route to catching a flight for London to headline UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion we bum-rushed the title holder for a short Q and A. Read up on what the light heavyweight champ has to say about his first UFC title defense, his sense of style and why you can never go wrong with a bulletproof pickup truck. The champ was here.

Complex: Your upcoming fight against Pride light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson is your first title defense and the first unification fight in UFC history. Does that get in your head in any way?
Rampage: No, that type of stuff don't bother me. When you take all that stuff away a fight is a fight. I still can get my ass whupped if I mess up or make a mistake. I'm not worried about no unification or belts, know what I'm saying? I'm not focusing on that stuff. Dan's tough like that and I got to be prepared.

How much has your life changed since you took the title belt off of Chuck Liddell in your last fight?
It hasn't changed a whole lot, I didn't notice any change. I got back right in to training for this fight. I've been up in the mountains working. Being champion is good but you know I want to have a little time. This fight if I win, I'm going to take some time and see what it's like to live it up a little bit as the champion.

Rampage Jackson knocking out Chuck Liddell at UFC 71/Photo: UFC

Complex is all about style, what are you into when it comes to your clothes?
I'm not really into one certain label or line of clothing. I like whatever looks good. Even if it's not a name brand, if I like it I'll buy it. The other day I bought a pair a shoes and I didn't even know they were Prada till they brought'em to me.

Tell me about your monster truck you were showing off on your video segment with Joe Rogan.
Aww, that was the old one. I'm getting a new one built right now, it's a 2008 Ford F-350 Turbo Diesel. It's really nice. I'm getting it bulletproofed and everything.

Are you worried about getting shot?
Naw, it's just cool to have a bulletproof truck. I don't know how much it's gonna cost but my sponsor Toyo Tires is taking care of everything. I'm gonna get a 26-inch lift. It'll probably have a little booster or just shoot you up in there or something. Naw, this one's an air-lift I can lower it down if I need to get into a parking garage or something.

What do you think is going to happen with your old organization, Pride?
Pride, man they treated their fighters like crap, know what I'm saying? So it's O.V. That's bad karma. I'd be surprised if they had another show. They're O.V., over.

You fought against Marvin Eastman, then Liddell and now a unification match. Did you want a little more time to warm up in the UFC?
I would have liked a little more time just so the fans could get to know me. But you know, I'm fighting over in London now so I don't think it will bother me no more. It's like I'm not fighting in the UFC, I'm just fighting in London. It's all good. I think a lot of fans know who I am now.

Check out the entire fight card for UFC 75 . Watch it live on Spike this Saturday at 9pm.