At UFC 135, Jon Jones was simply too much for Rampage, choking out the former champion after slowly picking him apart over four rounds. And so now, as the UFC looks at Rampage, they are forced to ask that same question that so many legends of the sport are facing these days. What now? The answer should be clear.
Rampage needs to be fighting the best young talent in the Light Heavyweight division, and he needs to be fighting them now.
With these legends, there is a temptation to throw them a softball in the match-making. Set them up with other legends who may be out of title contention, and provide a fun nostalgia fight. Think of Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva, or Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin 2. But what purpose do these fights serve? They don't draw well, and they don't benefit either fighter's career. This is not the model the UFC should follow with Jackson. If they want to know how best to utilize him, they should look to a fight between two of Rampage's former foes.
When Rashad Evans faced Chuck Liddell at UFC 88, Evans was undefeated, but still a rising young name, with no big signature win yet on his resume. For his part, Liddell was definitely a step removed from his prime, but coming in off the win over Wanderlei Silva, and still not far removed from his Light Heavyweight title run, he was still considered a major threat in the division. Seven minutes later, Chuck was an afterthought, and Rashad Evans was on his way to the Light Heavyweight title. That KO propelled Rashad straight to the top. Would it have had the same impact if Chuck had come in after a series of meaningless legends fights? No. Correct or not, Liddell was still seen as a legitimate contender, and Rashad putting him down meant something to the young fighter.
Rampage is now in a position to provide that same boost to the new generation of Rashads. Pair him with a Phil Davis, or Alexander Gustafsson. If the young up and comer wins, they have a huge name on their resume, and have taken a much needed step towards superstardom. And if they lose? Then they weren't ready for the very top of the card yet anyway.
This may sound harsh - a way to feed Rampage to the young lions. And, in a way, that's exactly what it is. But that still leaves the future in Rampage's hands. If he can keep these new names at bay and spoil their title aspirations, he'll move back up the ladder himself. If not, there will be new contenders filling in that spot. Everyone wins.
So what now for Rampage? Phil Davis, and the rest of the division's hungry young fighters. Make it happen Joe Silva.
