Las Vegas Weekly

May 29, 2010 · 10:44 AM

Rivalry between Jackson and Evans highlights UFC weekend

By Robin Leach

UFC President Dana White accepts his award for Leading Man of the Year during the Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards 2009 at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo: Leila Navidi

UFC head honcho Dana White says with complete conviction that “this is the fight, this is the showdown, this is the ultimate battle and grudge match.” He’s talking about tonight’s MGM Grand Garden Arena war between the two former UFC light-heavyweight champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and “Sugar” Rashad Evans.

Nothing ever before has matched the bitter and brutal rivalry of the two hard-hitting fighters, and it’s been a year or more in the making because of Rampage’s injuries and his starring role as B.A Baracus in the new film The A-Team that postponed their scheduled 2009 fight. (Remember that role belonged to Mr. T in the TV series with George Peppard and Dirk Benedict). Celebrities including Rampage’s A-Team co-stars Bradley Cooper and Jessica Biel are expected to pack the front-row seats.

Both bruisers were big-mouthed bashers of each other as rival coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, and now they’ll trade blows in the ring. The war of words this week has escalated beyond theatrical publicity into a disturbing dislike.

The rivalry can’t even be contained inside the Octagon. UFC officials announced that because it’s fully sold out, they've added closed-circuit viewing at the MGM Grand Conference Center. UFC 114 also feature bouts between middleweights Michael Bisping and Dan Miller, heavyweights Todd Duffee and Mike Russow and welterweights Diego Sanchez and John Hathaway.

The launch party for UFC Undisputed 2010 was one of the biggest events on the Strip last night, with Gavin Rossdale performing for 4,000 fans in attendance, including Dana and UFC fighters Forrest Griffin, Mike Swick, Cain Velasquez, John Fitch, Dan Hardy, Joe Stevenson, Roy Nelson, Josh Koscheck and many celebrities here for the fight and holiday weekend events.

Leading up to UFC 114 tonight is the second and final day of the Fan Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. This second year of festivities includes four grappling super fights, including a women’s matchup between world champion Penny Thomas and MMA veteran Shayna “Queen of Spandex” Baszler.

Dana gave the keynote welcome yesterday and hosted a Q&A with fans. There was even a Dana White look-alike contest. It’s the largest-ever gathering of fighters, brands and sponsors. Loyal Vegas DeLuxe reader Richard Corey was onsite and posted his videos to YouTube.

Dana said: “Our goal was to make the expo bigger and better with an experience for our fans that is second to none in the sports world. We added even more cool stuff this time around.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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