This Week’s MMA Birthdays: Quinton Jackson Turns 36

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson turns 36 this week. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder Quinton Jackson will celebrate his 36th birthday on June 20.

A Memphis, Tenn., native, Jackson ruled the UFC’s 205-pound division from May 26, 2007 to July 5, 2008. “Rampage” has secured 23 of his 35 professional wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission, 16 of them inside one round. His slam knockout on Ricardo Arona at a Pride Fighting Championships event in Japan remains a staple of global MMA highlight reels. Victories over Brazilian icon Wanderlei Silva, onetime two-division Pride titleholder Dan Henderson and 2000 Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland anchor the outstanding Jackson resume, along with triumphs over four former UFC champions: Chuck Liddell (twice), Lyoto Machida, Murilo Bustamante and Kevin Randleman.

Jackson has pieced together a three-fight winning streak since exiting the UFC in wake of losses to Jon Jones, Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira. “Rampage” last fought at Bellator 120 in May, when he won the Bellator MMA Season 10 light heavyweight tournament with a controversial unanimous decision over Muhammed Lawal at the Landers Center in Southaven, Miss.

Those in MMA celebrating a birthday during the week covering June 15-June 28: