UFC 135 weigh-in: Rampage Jackson promises ‘to end’ Jon Jones’ hype

By Case Keefer (contact)

Published Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 | 4:45 p.m.

Updated Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 | 11:11 p.m.

DENVER — It’s a good thing UFC President Dana White developed quick feet years ago as an amateur boxer.

The fighters at the UFC 135 weigh-in Friday — all of whom made weight — put White to the test. White usually lets his fighters manage their own stare down photos after making weight and only breaks them apart when necessary.

He had to jump in the middle more than usual at the Wells Fargo Theatre, separating four different sets of opponents. The main event, unsurprisingly, was one of them.

Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (204.5) and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (204) were actually cordial at first and exchanged handshakes before their face-off. But White had seen enough once they started talking trash inches apart from each other’s faces.

“I just had to step up and be real with him,” Jackson said. “ ‘ I’m going to end your hype tomorrow, ‘ that’s all I told him.”

The reaction was mixed between boos and cheers for both Jones and Jackson, indicating they had about an equal number of fans on hand for the event.

Jones said he was ready to get out of the crazy promotional process of fight week and into the octagon tomorrow night at the Pepsi Center.

“I think I’ve done enough talking,” Jones said. “It’s time for me to show what I’ve got tomorrow.”

A few of the preliminary card fighters showed hostility on the same level of Jones vs. Jackson. Featherweights Junior Assuncao (145) and Eddie Yagin (145) couldn’t even pose for a photo, because Assuncao charged into his opponent seconds after he made weight.

A similar scenario occurred for the next fight on the card, a middleweight bout between Nick Ring (185) and Tim Boetsch (186).

Nate Diaz (156) and Takanori Gomi (155) kept their distance at the beginning of their stare down. But Diaz snuck closer and began talking to Gomi, which prompted to White to also cut that encounter short.

Gomi and Diaz will battle in an anticipated lightweight scrap at the beginning of the pay-per-view. It’s arguably the second-most hyped meeting on the card, but well behind the main event.

“It’s time for him to start acting like a real fighter,” Jackson added. “Tomorrow, I’m going to give you all one of the best fights you’ve ever seen.”

Check below for full results from the UFC 135 weigh-in.

Light Heavyweight Championship Bout: Jon Jones (204.5) vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (204)

Welterweight Bout: Matt Hughes (170) vs. Josh Koscheck (170.5)

Heavyweight Bout: Ben Rothwell (263) vs. Mark Hunt (261)

Heavyweight Bout: Travis Browne (255) vs. Rob Broughton (261)

Lightweight Bout: Nate Diaz (156) vs. Takanori Gomi (155)

Lightweight Bout: Tony Ferguson (155) vs. Aaron Riley (155)

Middleweight Bout: Nick Ring (185) vs. Tim Boetsch (186)

Featherweight Bout: Junior Assuncao (145) vs. Eddie Yagin (145)

Bantamweight Bout: Takeya Mizugaki (135) vs. Cole Escovedo (135)

Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te Huna (205) vs. Ricardo Romero (205)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.