Too fat to fight? 'Rampage' Jackson turned down 'Shogun' Rua fight because of excess

[Spiritwalker]

hahahahahahahahahah...


The former champ takes to Twitter in an attempt to clear his name:

http://www.mmamania.com/2011/2/8/198...-fight-because

"I turned down the fight cause of short notice,I would have 2 lose 45 lbs n 4 weeks,u would have 2 be a fighter 2 understand,life goes on."

Quinton Jackson is not happy at the bad press he's getting after UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio Rua spilled the beans on his refusal of a proposed fight between the two at UFC 128 on March 19. You see, that's just six weeks away and the fact is, "Rampage" would have to drop 45 pounds just to make the 205-pound limit (remember, no one pound allowance for title fights) and that's simply not enough time for the pudgy pugilist to do so. Is this truly a good reason to turn down a title shot, not to mention a chance at revenge? According to Jackson, you need to be a fighter to understand so if we have any Maniacs out there that sling leather, please feel free to explain it to the rest of us. Of course, even if you don't, your opinions are still welcome. Anyone think this is more excuse than reason?

[rockdawg21]

I never understood why these guys don't just stay in shape year-round so they don't have to deal with that, make the extra money in case of a short notice offer, or even if a great opportunity arises.

[Spiritwalker]

I understand being "a bit over" normal walking around... but 45lbs???? My 8 year old daughter just barley weighs that..

Well I know I couldn't loose that much in 4 week's! I like to eat. As for how much he should wiegh when not fighting I guess it depends on his conditioning leval. If he's in decent shape at 45 pounds over then he's fighting in the wrong weight class. It put me in mind of what Curt Angle in his book said about collage wrestleing. He like wrestleing at heavyweight so he didn't have to cut weight!

Seems like a legit reason to me.... I think it's unprofessional for him to let his weight get that high but that's just my opinion.

I think the Elite fighters in this sport stay fit year round.... don't they??

He would be crazy to accept that fight. Even if he could lose the 45 lbs in time, he would have zero energy in the fight. If you're an up and coming fighter it MIGHT be worth it for a big shot but if you're an established name, you have nothing to gain from doing that.

As far as staying in fight shape year-round, that's easier said than done. We also know he's trying to be an actor more than a fighter lately. I don't blame him. More money and less pain.

[Spiritwalker]

What I think that some people are not remembering is that he weighed in at 205.. on 11/19... so from 11/19 to 2/5 he has put on 45lbs??????

i think the reason rampage has had poor cardio over his last few fights is this problem ... but not taking the fight is the smart thing .. he knows he is prepping to fight silva and if he wins that, he gets a shot .. why rush it .. only problem is, is that he might have to face jon jones ...

[Jonlion]

What are you saying he is being a coward?!

The fact is whatever you think of it - he is overweight and it would be dumb to take that fight. Nothing wrong with that - he is in shape but like most fighters he cuts waste.

He has nothing to prove he neededn't take risks.

I applaud him.

[Irish Pride]

and now he's facing Rashad. Weird...dunno why they signed this one. I know they both needed someone to fight but...it wasn't a close decision last time.