Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has been offered a nogi submission grappling match against recently retired MMA legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. The proposed super match would take place at the Super Cup event next year, according to podcast co-host Bear Degidio.
The surprising matchup proposal comes after Johnson’s emotional retirement from mixed martial arts at ONE 168: Denver. While Johnson has expressed his intention to focus on gi jiu-jitsu competition following his MMA career, this potential nogi match would pit him against an opponent who has competed up to four weight classes above him throughout his career.
During a recent podcast episode, Degidio proposed the matchup, offering both athletes six-figure paydays for the match. Jackson, known for his powerful wrestling and significant size advantage, expressed immediate interest in the matchup, confidently predicting he would submit Johnson with a knee bar.
“I would tap Mighty Mouse,” Jackson declared on the podcast. “I’m telling him right now, train knee bars, motherf**ker, because I’m taking that leg home.” The former Pride FC star’s enthusiasm notably increased when the six-figure payment was mentioned.
The proposed venue, the Super Cup, has previously hosted successful grappling events, with their last show at the hangar drawing over a thousand spectators. The organizers are planning to invest significantly in this event next year.
While the matchup would certainly draw attention due to its David vs. Goliath nature, it remains to be seen whether Johnson would be interested in the proposition. The former ONE and UFC flyweight champion recently announced his focus on gi jiu-jitsu competition: “I’m a Gi boy, so I’m just going to pursue my passion for jiu-jitsu in the Gi.”
Should the match materialize, it would mark a fascinating clash between two MMA legends from vastly different weight classes, testing the limits of technique against size in a pure grappling format.
