Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans had one of the most intense rivalries in MMA back in the early 2010s. They are scheduled to renew their rivalry in 2025 in the boxing ring.
The exact date hasn’t been announced, but according to both men and the Influencer Crossover Series’ Instagram account, the fight will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Rampage, 46, and Evans, 45, are both former UFC light heavyweight champions who had to run through the legendary Chuck Liddell to earn gold. Evans earned his title shot after he shockingly knocked Liddell out at UFC 88 in September 2008.
Who can forget his iconic Redd Foxx, aka Fred G. Sanford, celebration following the one-punch KO?
Following that KO win, Evans got his title shot against Forrest Griffin. Evans knocked Griffin out in the third round to become the UFC light heavyweight champion. Unfortunately, he failed to successfully defend his title as he was viciously knocked out by Lyoto Machida in his first defense.
Before Evans knocked Liddell out, Jackson turned the trick in May 2007 at UFC 71. Jackson dethroned Liddell with the finish, defended his title against Dan Henderson—who had just come over from Pride—but lost the title to Griffin via unanimous decision in his second title defense.
Rampage and Evans met in May 2010, with the latter using his quickness and athleticism to secure a unanimous decision win. The build-up to the fight was packed with bad blood, but it was the only meeting between the two.
Both men would work their way back up to a title shot down the road but were thwarted by Jon Jones. The G.O.A.T. beat Rampage in 2011 and Evans in 2012.
Rampage hasn’t fought since he was stopped by Fedor Emelianenko in December 2019 at Bellator 237. Evans’ last fight was a unanimous decision win over Gabriel Checco in January 2022 with Eagle FC.
Since his last fight, Rampage has been a part of a variety of different ventures. He’s found a strong niche as a personality on the Jaxxon Podcast. Evans has worked as an analyst for the UFC during Fight Night events.
Evans was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019. Rampage clearly has a resume worthy of induction, but the legend’s issues with the promotion have blocked his enshrinement.
Rampage has said he would decline an invitation to be inducted, and that’s a real shame because he deserves a spot in the Pioneer wing as much as anyone currently inducted.
Rampage and Evans are hoping to capture a piece of the crossover boxing audience that has grown with each passing year.
In 2024, we saw Jorge Masvidal face Nate Diaz in a boxing match, and of course, Jake Paul had boxing matches against Ryan Bourland, Mike Perry, and Mike Tyson. The fight against Tyson drew record-breaking viewership on Netflix and added fuel to the influencer-boxing machine.
Once a date for Rampage-Evans is established, we’ll begin to see how large of a piece the two UFC legends can carve for themselves in the influencer boxing world.
