Get ready for a true MMA champion! Monster Energy is proud to welcome mixed martial arts pioneer Quinton “Rampage” Jackson from Memphis, Tennessee, on Episode 43 of the sports and pop culture podcast UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny.
Recorded at our studio inside Monster Energy headquarters in Corona, California, this 50-minute episode tells the incredible story of the 44-year-old athlete and pop culture personality who took MMA from humble “cage fighting” origins into a mega sports spectacle respected across the globe.
Speaking about his unique journey, Monster Energy’s Jackson said on UNLEASHED: “Growing up with a really bad temper gets you in trouble. I feel like I’m the nicest guy on the planet, but I also feel like I have the worst temper on the planet. It took me years to learn how to control it because I felt that when I lost my temper, I had unlimited strength, and no one could control me!”
For the full story on the icon’s rise to fame and career after retirement from fighting, fans can now tune in to Episode 43 of UNLEASHED featuring Jackson. Released today, the new podcast is streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was pushed into fighting at an early age growing up in Memphis. He found an escape by honing his skills as a classically trained wrestler until he discovered a new concept– “mixed” martial arts fighting, a fierce blend of combat sports still in its infancy at the time. The rest is history: Jackson built a career in the early days of “cage fighting” and found success on Japan’s Pride FC circuit, ultimately claiming the Middleweight Championship belt. Back in the U.S., he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2007 and reigned as the UFC Light Heavyweight champ after a legendary knockout against MMA icon Chuck Lidell. Outside the Octagon, Rampage continues to shine as a Hollywood actor and ambassador for the sport he pioneered.
Hear the inside story of the birth of MMA from “Rampage” in conversation with the two podcast hosts, Australian action sports personality Luke “The Dingo” Trembath, and professional snowboarder Danny Kass on Episode 43 of UNLEASHED. Also joining the interview, acclaimed painter, model, and UFC numbers girl Brittney Palmer contributes questions and background information to the episode. Tune in right here.
Rampage built his fighting chops from a young age on the streets of Memphis, “I’m a brawler. I’m a street fighter! I always had to beat up the bullies and hated bullies growing up,” he said on UNLEASHED. Ultimately, he channeled his energy into wrestling at Raleigh-Egypt High School and seemed poised for an amateur wrestling career when he enrolled at Lassen Community College in Susanville, California. “I started wrestling in high school because I wanted to be a pro wrestler,” said Jackson, admitting that he expected to sign up for WWF-style pro wrestling instead of ‘classic’ wrestling.
But Jackson’s outlook changed radically when he discovered mixed martial arts – and found his calling. In the mid-1990s, he successfully competed in several American “cage fighting” franchises, including Dangerzone, King of the Cage, and Gladiator Challenge. “I came in as part of the second wave after the old-school fighters. It was already around for a bit until I get there, but it wasn’t popular,” said Jackson.
The sport’s popularity was about to change in the early 2000s, and Jackson would play a significant hand in its success. In 2001, he made the move to Japan to star in the thriving Pride FC promotion, where he became the reigning Middleweight Champion. “Nowadays, many fighters fight not to lose. Back in the day, when I started fighting, we used to walk in the cage. They locked the cage. And the best man won!”
After returning to the United States, Jackson joined the UFC early in 2007 at UFC 67. After earning the nickname “Rampage” and rising through the ranks, Jackson shook up the established order by becoming the UFC Light Heavyweight champ with a legendary knockout against Chuck Lidell. Looking at how the sport has evolved, Jackson said: “Nowadays everybody is well rounded. When I started, I was a wrestler… So you saw my skills evolve over time. Most people now are good at everything. And they’re really good at game planning. It makes for a boring fight a little bit, to me.”
Following his UFC career, Jackson kept it far from boring by switching weight classes and competing in the Bellator promotion as a heavyweight and still serves as an ambassador for the sport. “I don’t see MMA as violence. Some people do. I think violence is when you hate that person,” said Jackson. “It’s mutual respect.”
As a true MMA icon, he was immortalized by appearing as a cartoon character on the Cleveland Show. He also displayed his acting chops on blockbusters, including the A-Team movie, and starred on several TV shows, including Jackass.
Want to hear it from Monster Energy’s Rampage himself, including the origins of his nickname? Visit the landing page to access Episode 43 of the UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny Podcast featuring MMA trailblazer Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
Episodes of UNLEASHED are filmed on a special set inside Studio M at Monster Energy headquarters in Corona, California. The podcast is hosted by the dynamic duo of Australian action sports personality Luke “The Dingo” Trembath and professional snowboarder Danny Kass. Known for their deep roots in action sports culture, the two starred in the beloved cult TV show ‘The Adventures of Danny and The Dingo’ on Fuel TV for five action-packed seasons in the early 2010s. Both hosts have walked the walk as pro snowboarders and possess the interview skills to find common ground with guests from any type of background – sports and pop culture. Always look out for new episodes dropping bi-weekly on Mondays.
The UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny Podcast is here to celebrate the personalities behind the Monster Energy lifestyle. With each episode dedicated to a unique guest or topic, listeners learn about living on the edge and advancing the state of the art in the world of high-energy sports as well as music, games, and pop culture from individuals at the top of their game. More than a drink, Monster Energy is a way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers, and fans – and the podcast is an extension of this unique DNA.
For more on Monster Energy and the UNLEASHED Podcast, visit www.monsterenergy.com. Also, follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for exclusive content and athlete features.
