In a move as shocking as one of his body slams, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson decided to retire from fighting. Jackson cited his injuries, blamed the alleged manipulation of Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White, and his pursuit of a movie career as the reasons for his retirement.
“The UFC has done a lot for me but I think I have done more for them,” Jackson said. “The UFC bought WFA (World Fighting Alliance) to get my contract and they saved my life, so I felt loyal to them. They pushed me into a fight with Chuck Liddell even when I clearly stated I wasn’t ready to fight for the belt, because the American fans didn’t know me, but I took the fight and didn’t complain; and after I won the American fans booed me for the first time which changed the way I saw them and it hurt me deeply.”
Jackson is most bitter about his rift with White, whom he describes in his official website as devious and traitorous. “After I signed the contract, Dana then changes his mind and says I have to fight Rashad (Evans) and even told me what to say in the press and so my fans think I was scared to fight (Lyoto) Machida,” Jackson said. “After all that I still never complained and I did it all.”
Jackson said that he asked White to postpone his upcoming fight with Evans so he could do the The A-Team movie playing the role of B.A. Baracus, the character made famous by Mr. T in the ’80s TV hit show. But Jackson said that White wasn’t on the level with him.
“I called Dana right away and asked to push the Memphis fight back just a month or so,” Jackson said. “I told him that I used to bond with my father watching the TV show as a kid when my parents where still married…Dana went on the Internet and mocked me because of that and I still did nothing.”
Jackson is one of the most popular MMA fighters in the world. He first gained popularity in the defunct Japan-based Pride FC but never won a championship title until he knocked out Chuck Liddell in UFC 71 for the light-heavyweight belt. Even though Jackson lost the belt to Forrest Griffin in UFC 86 in a highly-controversial unanimous decision, Jackson remained one of the top fighters in the division.
(via rampage-jackson.com, paultaneo.blogspot.com)
Rampage is the the man. Rampage did work, no denying that. But is Rampage as recognizable or as tight as Bas Rutten? I think not. Just watched Bas at celldefense.com. Hilarious. That said, I am still sad that Rampage is retiring.
Rampage is going to return to MMA when his movie career doesn’t pan out. Really, this guy wants to be an actor?
Dana white is a douche. He is milking anything that will bring the UFC money. Examples: the super overrated and hated by all Brock Lesnar, Kimbo Slice, the Green Power Ranger, pro football players. I am glad that Rampage is sticking it to the man. Rampage kicked ass in Pride and UFC. He made both of the affiliations get noticed.