Welcome to our running live blog of today’s UFC 114 conference call, featuring host Dana White with Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.
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1:06: We’re running a little late, it seems. The world record for starting a conference call late has to be held by Strikeforce, though, and the 27-minute monster they produced earlier this year. I don’t believe anything will top that one, although getting Rampage Jackson to do anything on time is quite the difficult task.
1:08: I jinxed it. Dana White is doing his introduction now.
1:09: Sergio Non brings up the Fighters Only interview and asks Rampage why he’s upset with the UFC. Rampage says there’s a lot of things that make him unhappy, but he’s not here to talk about those. Dana says he knew that was going to be the first question asked today. Dana says Rampage is very opinionated and he’s entitled to those opinions. Dana says he hears Rampage did a good job in the A-Team and he wants a piece of the second film. Rampage is silent. Dana is joking, by the way.
1:11: Rashad’s phone is having some major issues. Dana tells him to speak up.
1:12: Franklin McNeil asks Rampage about his time off, and Rampage asks him why he always has to use big words. Rampage says he took time off because his body needed some rest, so he’s glad he did it and glad he rested. Rampage says he’s done with the movie and he doesn’t even think about it anymore, and all he cares about is the fight. Says beating Rashad is a moral victory and nothing much because Rashad can’t even hold onto his belt. He wants to teach Rashad to keep his mouth shut, but it’s not a big accomplishment. Fighting Rashad is a step backwards for him.
1:16: Rashad takes issue with Rampage’s comments about him. He beat Forrest when Rampage couldn’t beat him. And then they start shouting at each other. Rashad says Rampage perpetuates the idea that he’s stupid when he’s anything but stupid. “Stop pretending like you’re stupid just because you’re black, you’re not stupid.” This conference call is already epic.
1:17: Rampage has never fought anybody he hates as much as Rashad. Says Rashad is fake and cocky and hasn’t done much. Rashad says he was the world champion, so Rampage asks where his belt is. And then they start shouting at each other again. Rashad apparently shipped Rampage something in the mail, but Rampage denies knowing anything about it. They start shouting again.
1:20: Dana finally gets them to take another question. Yes, they’ve been shouting at each other the whole time.
1:21: Rashad says he trained hard so he wouldn’t get tired during the fight, to which Rampage interjects “I get tired during all your fights.”
1:24: Dana talks about the A-Team movie. Says it’s going to be a huge summer hit and that Rampage did a great job.
1:25: Rampage says Rashad is acting like he wants to fight, but all he’s going to do is run away and do his little takedowns. Rashad says Rampage will back down again like he did the first time, so Rampage asks Dana to relay what happened. Dana called Rampage and asked him to fight Rashad, and Rampage said yes. Dana then called Rashad and he turned it down. And then the shouting begins again. Rampage turned down a fight with Rashad after the Jardine fight because it was too soon, so Rashad says they are even. And now more shouting.
1:28: Yes, they just finished shouting.
1:29: Rashad says Rampage fakes being stupid and he’s actually smart. Why perpetuate the stereotype that you’re stupid? Rashad says he’s plenty smart. And yes, more shouting. I know you’re shocked.
1:30: And now Rashad says something about balls in the mouth and this conference call goes downhill quickly.
1:33: The winner of this bout will receive a title shot.
1:34: Rashad talks about bringing in King Mo (for his camp) because he can simulate Rampage pretty well, but also because he has the best takedowns in the game.
1:35: Rashad says he wants to go out and start throwing punches and see where they land. Rampage just starts laughing.
1:36: Dana says he’s not concerned about pro wrestling-style theatrics. Sometime’s its the fight game and sometimes guys actually don’t like each other. The WWE stuff comes from the guys who are faking it in order to sell a fight, and these two guys genuinely do not like each other. Dana says they’ll deny it, but he’s positive Rampage and Rashad respect each other — they just don’t like each other.
1:38: Rampage and Rashad seem to have calmed down a bit. Someone probably shot em’ with a tranquilizer gun.
1:39: Rampage still feels like he’s champion in his mind, so for this to be for a title shot, it feels sweet. He’s ready to get back on track and become one of the best fighters in the world.
1:40: Somebody asks if a Michael Bisping win is needed for Britain to maintain its high profile in the MMA world. Dana says not at all. He says Daley didn’t look bad at all and Hardy came off great.
1:41: Rashad makes fun of Rampage for using tiny guys in training camp. Rampage says he used small guys because they’re fast like Rashad. Rashad says that’s fine, but Rampage acts like he’s done something big when he knocks him down. Shockingly, they start shouting at each other again and arguing about who has the worse glass jaw. Rampage makes fun of Rashad’s gumby legs in the Silva fight. More YELLING. This is fantastic and I cannot wait for this fight.
1:44: Rampage says he met Rashad back in Gladiator Challenge when Rashad fought his friend. Rampage’s teammate broke his ankle in the cage and Rashad danced around the cage acting like he won something and “playing with his nipples.” After that fight, Rashad asked Rampage to train with him and he said no. But he really didn’t have a problem with Rashad until after the Jardine fight. Rampage says Rashad thought he was hot stuff after kicking the “fat dude” in the head (Sean Salmon), but he really didn’t mind him until that night.
1:47: Will it be more difficult for Dana to schedule Rampage after the movie is a big hit? Dana says it’s going to be a huge hit and it’s a real movie, but he’ll cross that bridge when they get there. Dana says this is the biggest grudge match in company history.
1:49: Rashad says he knows Rampage’s style like the back of his hand. Rampage says the universe has opened up for him and the Shogun fight haunts him to this day, so he has a chance to get back in there and make it right.
1:51: That was one epic phone call.
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