A sampling of raw quotes from today's UFC 71 teleconference featuring Chuck Liddell and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson:

Chuck Liddell

On the constant sniping at UFC from boxing types in the buildup to DeLaHoya-Mayweather: I think it is a sign of the times when a boxing show is taking shots at us to try to sell more pay per views. To promote their fight they're bringing us up. A couple years ago they wouldn't even mention us. ...

On fighting at heavyweight: We've talked a bunch of times about it. If it is an interesting fight, if it is something the people want to see, I'm interested. I think I'm in one of the best weight classes, I'm walking around at 216. ... We were talking about fighting (Mirko) Cro Cop, but I wouldn't mind taking a shot at Fedor (Emelianenko).

On whether he's concerned about the upsets of 2007: Not at all. We're all different people. People talking about jinx, I'm like if it's all coming from the same camp, that might be a curse, but these are independent events. It shows the diversity of the sport. Sometimes you get caught.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

How has Rampage changed since he last fought Chuck: I'm more disciplined in the way I eat, my nutrition. Last time I ate fast food, I wasn't preparing right, I didn't know how to cook for myself. I used to have to cut 15 pounds the day before the fight. I don't like to cut 15 pounds.

On his big slams: I never look for the slam. People are mistaken. Most time it happens they make a mistake and boom, I pick 'em up and do it. Even in practice, I don't look for it. I don't train my slams. If they're there, I take 'em.

Who are Rampage's favorite fighters? BJ Penn and Fedor. I like the way they fight. I don't think anyone is unbeatable, but (Fedor) doesn't give a damn. ... Even if someone takes him down, he gets back up and he kicks your butt.

What most impressed him about Chuck: His Mohawk. I'm impressed with his Mohawk. How does he get his Mohawk like that every time? How does he do that? Does he do it himself? Does he have someone do it for him? Does he have something he puts on it to make it look good every time?

Notes

*Rampage says he has done the bulk of his training up at Big Bear with Cheick Kongo, James Irvin and Hector "Sick Dog" Ramirez.

*Rampage was asked a couple times about getting used to fighting in a cage as opposed to a ring. Jackson, of course, had extensive experience fighting in a cage before he joined PRIDE and both of his fights since leaving have been in a cage.

*Dana White did not participate in the press conference, reportedly due to a bad cold.