The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

‘A-Team’ star looks to bring his A-game to UFC 123

Reds hit 3 homers in big win over Rockies
5/27/12
Miami baseball ends with loss
5/27/12
Ask Hal: Imitation of others just part of the game
5/27/12
Trotwood's McCray gets OSU offer despite Michigan commit
5/27/12
Commentary: Hang in there, soccer parents
5/27/12
> More sports headlines

By Greg Beacham, Associated Press 11:25 PM Thursday, November 18, 2010

The B.A. Baracus mohawk has been shaved clean off.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s dalliance with Hollywood only reminded him just how much he loves to fight.

When Jackson takes on Lyoto Machida in a meeting of former light heavyweight champions at UFC 123, he’s trying to get his career back in gear by breaking it down to essentials. Rampage realizes he was nearly derailed by numerous distractions, from a messy arrest in 2008 to that part in “The A-Team.”

“My last performance wasn’t exciting,” Jackson said — and he isn’t talking about his well-received movie role.

Jackson (30-8) knows octagon rust was at least partly responsible for his unimpressive loss to Rashad Evans last May in his first bout back, and he all but acknowledges slacking on his training while promoting his movie. He also has implied he was injured two weeks before the fight, but didn’t want to pull out of a headlining bout.

None of those obstacles will be problems Saturday night north of Detroit at the Palace of Auburn Hills, not after a full training camp in Orange County and a renewed commitment to conditioning.

“A lot of things are different,” said Jackson. “I’ve been more focused and have a lot of time to train. I took a long time off, not training and stuff like that, and your body is going to suffer when you go into a hard camp. This time, my body is doing good. This time I’m more prepared.”

B.J. Penn’s third bout with veteran Matt Hughes also headlines UFC 123, the mixed martial arts league’s first card featuring four former champions in the same event.

Although Jackson acknowledges an interest in reclaiming the 205-pound title, he seems more interested in becoming an entertainer again. The fighter who once electrified the Pride circuit in Japan with his penchant for body-slamming opponents — a rare feat for anybody in the skilled UFC — is determined to put danger back into his bouts.

Jackson’s focus is wonderful news for the UFC, because Machida (16-1) isn’t exactly a five-alarm fire of a fighter. Their stylistic contrasts are glaring, and they’re just one reason the UFC put them together.

Machida became an unbeaten champion with a passive, awkward style that doesn’t sell many pay-per-view shows — at least until he ran into Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in his past two bouts.

“I respect Machida, but I have fighters who I’m a fan of, and they always want to fight,” Jackson said. “They have the same basic feelings I have. I feel like boxing has become very boring. MMA is my sport, and too many fighters are coming up with these crazy game plans and just fighting for points. I hate to see this sport turn into boxing. Nobody is even hitting the canvas these days. Guys are just trying to win by points. I just feel like, I like to have fights.”