Imagine a UFC legend, now in his late 40s, boldly declaring he could’ve dominated one of today’s most feared fighters in his prime. Sounds like a stretch? Well, that’s exactly what Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson is claiming about Jiri Prochazka. And this is where it gets controversial—Jackson believes Prochazka’s ‘weird’ fighting style would’ve been his downfall. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Jackson isn’t just talking trash; he’s breaking down why he thinks he’d outclass the current UFC standout.
Jiri Prochazka, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, has been on an unstoppable tear, losing only to the current champ, Alex Pereira, in his last 18 fights. Earlier this month at UFC 320, Prochazka delivered a jaw-dropping knockout to Khalil Rountree Jr. in the final round, cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with. Outside of Pereira, no UFC fighter has managed to best Prochazka, who’s dispatched names like Dominick Reyes, Glover Teixeira, Aleksandar Rakic, and Jamahal Hill with ease.
But Rampage Jackson, a 47-year-old UFC legend and 2007 champion, isn’t impressed. In a recent episode of The Jaxxon Podcast, Jackson didn’t hold back, stating, ‘I’ll mess Jiri up.’ His reasoning? Prochazka’s unconventional, ‘weird’ style. Jackson compared Prochazka to Keith Jardine, another fighter he dominated, claiming he’d stay in Prochazka’s face, dish out damage, and exploit his perceived weaknesses in wrestling. ‘He doesn’t seem like a good wrestler,’ Jackson noted, adding he’d take the fight to the ground and control it wherever Prochazka felt uncomfortable.
And this is the part most people miss: Jackson’s confidence isn’t just bravado. His resume speaks for itself, with wins over MMA icons like Lyoto Machida, Wanderlei Silva (twice), Chuck Liddell (twice), and Dan Henderson. So, when he says he’d ‘bully’ Prochazka, it’s not just talk—it’s a challenge rooted in a storied career.
During the podcast, Jackson was joined by Khalil Rountree Jr., who recently fell to Prochazka at UFC 320. When asked about his next opponent, Rountree Jr. admitted he wasn’t sure. Jackson, however, had a suggestion: Magomed Ankalaev, who lost the title to Pereira at UFC 320. Jackson even floated the idea of a Prochazka rematch for Rountree Jr. down the line.
But here’s the real question: Is Jackson’s claim a nostalgic overreach, or does he have a point? Prochazka’s dominance is undeniable, but Jackson’s experience and power in his prime were legendary. Could a prime Rampage truly outmaneuver the ‘weird’ yet lethal Prochazka? Let’s spark some debate—do you think Jackson’s claim holds water, or is he underestimating Prochazka’s evolution as a fighter? Sound off in the comments!
