In a recent podcast episode, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson made a surprising revelation that has left the combat sports community abuzz. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion claimed that the octagon canvas can be so slippery that he resorted to applying honey on the bottom of his feet to maintain traction during bouts.
Jackson’s unconventional secret was shared in a candid conversation, where he expressed frustration about the lack of discussion around the slippery octagon surface. I have somebody go give me some honey or something. I put honey on the bottom of my foot. ”
“I’m serious, man. It’s that bad,” he said.
The idea may seem unconventional, but Jackson swears by its effectiveness. “One thing is good to do pedicure. Take the skinny dad. You know, you do pedicure, skinny dad, and then you can put something. Wow. Yeah, you gotta get your feet stiff. So honey underneath your feet so you don’t slip around the canvas,” he explained.
Jackson is not alone in his observation. He pointed out that other fighters, even high-profile ones like Jon Jones, likely use similar methods to maintain their footing. “I mean, Jon Jones, for a guy who’s that big and the way he kicks and he moves, I mean, I don’t see him slip around that much. He’s putting stuff, he’s most likely he’s putting something on the bottom of his feet,” Jackson speculated.
The issue of the slippery octagon surface is not a new one, and Jackson’s admission has sparked a renewed conversation about the importance of traction in professional fighting. It’s a problem that many fighters can relate to, as seen in instances where they’ve lost their footing during fights.
Yoel Romero would famously slip in many of his bouts.
While the use of honey on the feet may not be a widely accepted solution, it highlights the resourcefulness and creativity of fighters in finding ways to gain a competitive edge. As Jackson noted, “Common sense. You gotta get slippery. Yeah, yes, common sense, yes. Something is wrong.”
The revelation has also raised questions about the responsibility of event organizers to ensure that the surface is safe and conducive to fair competition.