TOKYO – Consider former PRIDE superstar Quinton "Rampage" Jackson the tour guide for his fellow American fighters heading to Japan for February's UFC 144 event.
Jackson, who co-headlines UFC 144, knows the lay of the land, and he could write a travel guide about competing in the fight-crazy country.
But Jackson admits some of his advice doesn't apply to UFC 144 headliner Frankie Edgar.
The two Americans today descended on the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo Ballroom in Japan for a pre-event press conference for UFC 144, which takes place Feb. 26 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Jackson (32-9 MMA, 7-3 UFC) meets Ryan Bader (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the co-headliner while Edgar (14-1-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) looks to make a second straight title defense when he takes on Ben Henderson (15-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the pay-per-view main event.
Jackson fought 17 times for the once-dominant PRIDE organization, which the UFC ultimately purchased and later disbanded. The organization drew enormous crowds and record TV ratings just as Jackson's popularity soared.
While Japanese fans may be more polite than your average MMA enthusiasts, they like exciting brawls as much as the next guys. Jackson said he'll use that knowledge in his fight, but he said Edgar should use the game plan only with a big disclaimer.
"The only advice I would give him is here it's a big show, and the fans are really respectful," Jackson said. "You put on the best show you can. But he's the champion, and when you're a champion, there's a lot riding on that fight.
"Me, I'll just put on the best show I possibly can, take chances to put on the best fight so fans will never forget you. But you have to keep that belt. You have to be smart. (It's like) a chess match."
Edgar, of course, is no stranger to exciting fights. In his two most recent title fights – both against Gray Maynard – he survived first-round beatdowns. In the first, he rebounded to force a draw. In the second, which came this past month at UFC 136, he rallied for a fourth-round knockout.
While such a performance can make him a star in Japan, he's not looking for a repeat performance. Then again, he'll take a win any way he gets it.
"I'm not trying to make a habit of it," he said. "The punishment I've been taking in the past couple fights, it's like a cat has nine lives. I've used eight lives to get out of that first round. It does make for exciting TV, and it's definitely building my legend, so as long as I come out the victor, I'll get beat up four or five rounds. As long as I come out the victor, I'll do it every time."
Edgar meets a former WEC titleholder in Henderson. Like WEC-to-UFC counterparts Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis, Henderson hasn't faded a bit on MMA's biggest stage. In fact, following Henderson's dominant wins over contenders Mark Bocek, Jim Miller and Clay Guida, Edgar said he's "more than deserving" of a shot at his belt.
With the Maynard trilogy behind him and his belt now firmly tightened around his waist, Edgar's new duty is to prove he's a UFC champion with the type of staying power Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre do. And he has to do it against a top contender in what's arguably the UFC's deepest division, on a new continent, and as part of a historic UFC event.
Edgar, though, is used to the pressure.
"There's always pressure," he said. "I've got the belt. The pressure just keeps coming more and more. Now, fighting in Japan in a new market and a new country for myself, the pressure's just going to keep coming. But I've got to step up and face that pressure."
For more on UFC 144, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.
