Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, two former UFC light heavyweight champions, have a history that dates back some 14 years. Inside the Octagon, they finally settled their differences, but now it seems they want to relive that intense rivalry on the boxing stage.

Relive the Heated Rivalry in the Boxing Ring

History of the Rivalry

Back in 2010, these two legends squared off within the UFC. Evans emerged as the winner after they competed on The Ultimate Fighter. Their rivalry during that era was one of the more heated ones, filled with intense emotions and a desire to prove themselves. It was a battle that left a lasting mark on the MMA world.

Evans, a former Michigan State University wrestler, has always had a passion for combat sports. Boxing is something that truly excites him, and getting another chance to fight Rampage is a dream come true. "Boxing is something I’m a huge fan of," he said. "And there’s nothing better than getting another chance to fight Rampage. Rampage is in pretty good shape right now. I want to get a chance to do it again."

Jackson's Boxing Plans

Jackson was initially set to make his boxing debut in June against Shannon Briggs. However, those plans have fallen apart and now seem to be off the table. The 46-year-old last made an MMA appearance in 2019, losing to Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator from Japan. But his boxing aspirations remain strong.

Evans, who just turned 45 years old, also had his last MMA bout in 2022. He defeated Gabriel Checco at Eagle FC, ending a four-year retirement. Despite the years passing, their competitive spirit remains intact. "We’ve got a pretty decent relationship," Evans said of Jackson. "We’ve got a level of respect for each other. But we still have fun and we’re still clowning each other. I’ve still got to deal with him trying to clown me, or I’ll send him a message and try to clown him. We’re fiercely competitive with each other; that’s a good thing."

The Potential Boxing Match

Evans has already jumped into training camp for the rumored boxing match with Rampage. They are looking to make it happen potentially at the end of February, most likely here in Florida. This is an opportunity for these two veterans to showcase their skills once again and create another memorable moment in combat sports history.

The excitement surrounding this potential boxing match is palpable. Fans are eager to see these two former champions go head-to-head in a different combat sport. It will be a test of their physical and mental abilities, as well as a celebration of their careers. Evans and Jackson are both ready to give it their all and leave it all in the ring.