Ex-UFC star Rampage Jackson roots for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Add Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to the growing A-list of Manny Pacquiao fans.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion, who is in the country as main guest of the King of the Cage fight card tomorrow (Friday) night at the Mall of Asia Arena, is a self-confessed Pacquiao fan.

Jackson was about to wrap up his exclusive 10-minute interview with a small group of local media, including Philstar.com, at the Eclipse Bar in Solaire Casino, when the MMA great asked if anyone has interviewed Pacquiao.

The answer in affirmative made Jackson's eyes grew bigger and became more animated with the Pacquiao discussion.

"I'm a big Manny Pacquiao fan," Jackson said on Thursday. "I try to watch all of his fights [in the US]."

The 35-year-old former King of the Cage and UFC fighter said he already met Pacquiao and considers him as one of the greatest fighters.

"He's really exciting to watch," said Jackson, who is also an exciting fighter to watch inside the octagon. "He's one of the best fighters... ever!"

Jackson rose to popularity with his classic rivalry with Wanderlei Silva and winning the UFC light heavyweight title by knocking out another MMA great Chuck Lidell. But the American mixed martial artist has since bolted out of the UFC organization last month and signed up with Spike TV in partnership with Bellator MMA and TNA Wrestling. 

Jackson will certainly root for Pacquiao when the former eight-time division champion faces Brandon Rios in November in his bid to get back on track after his brutal sixth-round knockout loss to Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez last year.