The rift between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and the UFC appears to be growing, with a post Tuesday at Rampage-Jackson.com suggesting that the former light heavyweight champion could be leaving MMA for good.Under the heading "I'm Done Fighting," a post attributed to Jackson himself airs several grievances that Jackson has with the UFC, all stemming from the UFC's reluctance to support Jackson's acting career. Jackson recently pulled out of a scheduled fight with Rashad Evans to instead take the part of B.A. Baracus in next year's A-Team movie.
The post (which can be read in full here) has been picked up by prominent MMA web sites including Bloody Elbow, MMA Weekly and MMA Junkie, and it's the talk of the MMA world. But is Rampage really leaving the UFC for good?
I don't think he is.
I think Rampage is upset with what he perceives as the UFC attempting to hold back his acting career, and I think Rampage thinks he can make more money in acting than he can in the UFC. Although UFC President Dana White is right when he says Rampage would make more money for fighting Evans than he would for being in The A-Team, the thinking from Rampage's camp is that The A-Team has the potential to be a huge hit, one that could make Rampage millions of dollars from a sequel, merchandise and other related income streams.
And I think White's anger -- though absolutely justified, considering that Rampage had already agreed to fight Evans -- was expressed too publicly. UFC fans love White because he says what he thinks and doesn't hold back, but Rampage felt that White disrespected him publicly by belittling his acting aspirations. So now Rampage isn't in the mood to go through a rigorous training camp, cut weight and expose himself to injury, all to put more money in the UFC's coffers.
But I believe that will change, because Rampage will want to put more money into his own coffers, and fighting -- not acting -- is what Rampage does best. Rampage has a unique talent and is one of the best fighters in the world. He won't want to leave that for good.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-22-2009 @ 10:23PM
Ted said...
Rampage knows there are too many LHWs in the UFC. He can win outside of the UFC and come back to fight the UFC champion without going through the division.
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9-22-2009 @ 10:22PM
Ted said...
Rampage also knows the UFC LHW division is top loaded. He can always fight and win outside of the UFC and come back for a championship match.
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9-23-2009 @ 1:17AM
G said...
Rampage is still under contract. He CAN'T fight anywhere else. It's either quit fighting, period, or go back to the UFC. He has no other options.
9-22-2009 @ 10:28PM
Not cool said...
Come on'
Rampage jus say it you don't want to fight anymore
I've seen it coming for quite some time.
Damn wat a fight that would of been though rampage vs. Rashad that would of been awesome but, I guess rampage is finally calling it quits.
Ahhhhh...... Bye bye.
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9-22-2009 @ 10:33PM
M13 said...
WOW! If this is so then the UFC has lost a major asset to their organization. When you're competing in sports that have such high physical and mental demands, there is only so much of the training and injuries you can take before you start to break down. That being said you'll need to branch out into other professions anyway. If this is his decision then I wish him the best of luck. This feels like it just came from left field...
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9-22-2009 @ 11:40PM
boxer129 said...
Rampage is tough physically but I don't think mentally. After watching the Ultimate Fighter and seeing him and Evans bicker back and forth, it really looked to me that Rashad got into Rampages head. Rampage no longer had a fierce look of dominance, but rather a look of doubt.
Once you lose the mental aspect, that's all she wrote.
Otherwise he wouldn't have called off the fight, and definately wouldn't have said he's done fighting. He's a cool dude but he really should retire if he's that weak minded.
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9-23-2009 @ 2:23PM
gonzo1 said...
come on jackson , are you really that afraid of evans ? don't worry man , he won't kill you . you will heal and fight another day.
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9-23-2009 @ 4:13PM
Doh Boy said...
What makes Evans thinks he is going to be a successful actor? He can hardly talk intelligently. Gary Coleman would make a better BJ Baracus.
9-23-2009 @ 4:34PM
dwwzo6 said...
lmao leaving UFC for an acting career? that big dummy couldnt act if his life depended on it, come on we have seen how well other fighters have done in the movie biz and thats not very well at all...........I think he knows in order to fight he is going to have to fight rashad and does'nt want to get beat down by rashad
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9-23-2009 @ 5:54PM
tj said...
sissy
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9-23-2009 @ 6:30PM
GREETINGS 2 ALL said...
rampage will be back after the movie. they picked a good character for the part of BA
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9-23-2009 @ 9:02PM
henery1 said...
Spoken like a true dumbass, probably a boxing fan that's pissed because the ufc is the fastest growing sport in the nation. Cry a river you wanker. I'd like to see you go to a ufc event and talk your crap directly to someone's face and see how fast you get your ass kicked. Ha Ha.
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