Despite heavy speculation that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would be signing with One FC, the former UFC light heavyweight champ has reportedly finalized a deal with Bellator.
A press release sent to Bleacher Report this morning announced the news.
“Rampage is a true superstar both inside and outside the MMA cage,” Bellator CEO and Chairman Bjorn Rebney said in a statement.
“The partnership that we’ve created with Quinton is unlike anything that’s ever been done in the sports & entertainment arena and Rampage is the perfect athlete/entertainer to carry it off.”
The former PRIDE star’s new contract features a clause similar to fellow 205-pounder “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal that will allow him to make his pro wrestling debut with TNA Impact Wrestling.
Both Bellator and TNA air on the Spike TV network and they seem to be quite pleased with Rampage’s new deal.
“We are thrilled to create this opportunity for one of the greatest athletes and personalities in MMA,” Kevin Kay, Spike TV President, said in the press release.
“Rampage is a proven ratings driver who brings incredible star power to both Bellator and TNA.”
Last night, Jackson got the rumor mill churning when he sent out this tweet:
It’s gonna feel good putting this chain back on… Big news coming real soon. twitter.com/Rampage4real/s…
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) June 4, 2013
Many fans and analysts were led to believe that Rampage was heading to One FC after the company’s chairman/CEO Vitor Cui tweeted, “Looking fwd to seeing you next month!”
However, that tweet has since been deleted.
Jackson, also a former PRIDE middleweight champ, has posted just a 4-4 record since losing the UFC light heavyweight strap to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86 in July 2008.
He left the UFC after his contract expired following a January loss to rising contender Glover Teixeira, his third consecutive loss with the company.
Rampage made his displeasure with the world’s premiere mixed martial arts promotion known for months before his departure (via Cage Potato), so fans were left to wonder for months where he would continue his career.
Also worth noting is that in January, Lawal said he’d like to see Rampage in Bellator doing pro wrestling (via MMA Weekly).
A matchup under the Bellator banner between the two would surely draw a ton of fan interest, even if both competitors may be passed their prime.
John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com and contributes MMA videos to The Young Turks Sports Show.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com