Friday 5 August 2011

UFC 135: Head coach leaves 'Rampage' Jackson due to 'different visions' with management

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If you're Quinton Jackson, now is probably not the best time to take your act solo.
News from Showdown Entertainment today brings word that Jackson's head coach, Lance Gibson, will no longer represent the former light heavyweight champion as he prepares for his 205-pound title shot against Jon Jones at UFC 135 on Sept. 24 in Denver.
Here's why:
"Canadian UFC veteran and trainer, Lance Gibson, known for training many West Coast MMA stars and most recently know as Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson’s Head Coach, has made a personal decision not to be a part of this particular camp. Under Mr. Gibson’s tutelage, Jackson defeated top fighters, Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill. Lance wishes Rampage the best in his upcoming world championship fight at UFC 135 against Jon 'Bones' Jones in Denver, Colorado."
That "personal decision" stems from "different visions" between Gibson and Jackson's management, according to a recent tweet by Gibson MMA.
This isn't Jackson's first public break-up with a head coach.
Trainer Juanito Ibarra left "Rampage" nearly three years ago, prompting the Memphis native to set up camp across the pond with Michael "The Count" Bisping at the UK's Wolfslair Fight Team.
Jackson earned his shot at the light heavyweight crown by beating the brakes off Matt Hamill at the UFC 130 event on May 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada, out-striking "The Hammer" by a margin of 61-34 and stuffing all 17 of the NCAA wrestler's takedown attempts.
Now he's ready to break some "Bones" in the "Mile High City," but will Gibson's departure have an adverse effect on his preparations? Or was "Rampage" going down regardless of who trained him?

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