Jackson beats Jardine in UFC 96

COLUMBUS, OH, March 7 – Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson didn’t get any easy road to his 30th pro win, but after a hard-fought three round unanimous decision win over Keith Jardine in the UFC 96 main event at the Nationwide Arena Saturday night, he not only got the victory, he cleared the way for a shot at the new champ, Rashad Evans.

“I needed these three rounds,” said Jackson, now 30-7. “There was a lot of pressure on me to fight Keith Jardine. I didn’t think the pressure would get to me. But he’s a tough guy. I didn’t expect him to be that tough.”

Scores were 29-28 twice and 30-27 for Jackson.

UFC 96 JACKSON vs JARDINE

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was at his devastating best last December as he settled his score with Wanderlei Silva via a chilling first round knockout. On Saturday, March 7, Jackson will look to move one step closer to regaining his title when he takes on the man who beat both Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin, Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine. For the third year in a row, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® is heading back to Columbus, Ohio for UFC 96: JACKSON vs. JARDINE, live from the Nationwide Arena on Saturday, March 7, 2009.