The UFC has signed CM Punk, and Bellator MMA might be on the verge of signing its own former WWE star.
Bellator president Scott Coker told MMA Fighting on Monday that his organization has been in negotiations with former WWE standout Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio, whose real name is Jose Rodriguez, fought in MMA for nine years, including a pair of bouts with PRIDE.
“I think that we did reach out,” Coker said. “I’m not sure where that is and by no means is it in the 11th hour, but I know there’s some dialogue going on.”
Rodriguez, who competed in MMA under the name Dos Caras, Jr., has a notable head kick knockout loss to Mirko Cro Cop at PRIDE Bushido 1 in 2003 on his record. Rodriguez trained under Marcos Ruas and went 9-5 in his mixed martial arts career between 2001 and 2010. Seven of his nine career victories came via submission.
Rodriguez, 37, is 6-foot-5 and more than 230 pounds, so he would likely compete in either the heavyweight or light heavyweight division.
In pro wrestling, Rodriguez was a popular former WWE champion and also competed for Mexican organizations AAA and CMLL. He was fired by WWE in August after slapping an employee. Rodriguez has said the man, a web producer, made a racist joke about him, prompting the physical altercation.
After being ousted by WWE, Rodriguez returned to AAA, where he won the heavyweight title earlier this month. Rodriguez also reportedly a signed a deal with U.S. wrestling promotion Ring of Honor.
Could Rodriguez return to MMA with Bellator next? Coker likes the idea.
“He’s had a lot of great MMA fights and I just think that would be a fun time to see him fight some of the guys we have on our roster,” Coker said.
Bellator already has former WWE champion Bobby Lashley on its roster. Tito Ortiz and Muhammed Lawal, two of Bellator’s biggest stars, also have dabbled in pro wrestling with TNA.
The UFC has signed CM Punk, and Bellator MMA might be on the verge of signing its own former WWE star.
Bellator president Scott Coker told MMA Fighting on Monday that his organization has been in negotiations with former WWE standout Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio, whose real name is Jose Rodriguez, fought in MMA for nine years, including a pair of bouts with PRIDE.
“I think that we did reach out,” Coker said. “I’m not sure where that is and by no means is it in the 11th hour, but I know there’s some dialogue going on.”
Rodriguez, who competed in MMA under the name Dos Caras, Jr., has a notable head kick knockout loss to Mirko Cro Cop at PRIDE Bushido 1 in 2003 on his record. Rodriguez trained under Marcos Ruas and went 9-5 in his mixed martial arts career between 2001 and 2010. Seven of his nine career victories came via submission.
Rodriguez, 37, is 6-foot-5 and more than 230 pounds, so he would likely compete in either the heavyweight or light heavyweight division.
In pro wrestling, Rodriguez was a popular former WWE champion and also competed for Mexican organizations AAA and CMLL. He was fired by WWE in August after slapping an employee. Rodriguez has said the man, a web producer, made a racist joke about him, prompting the physical altercation.
After being ousted by WWE, Rodriguez returned to AAA, where he won the heavyweight title earlier this month. Rodriguez also reportedly a signed a deal with U.S. wrestling promotion Ring of Honor.
Could Rodriguez return to MMA with Bellator next? Coker likes the idea.
“He’s had a lot of great MMA fights and I just think that would be a fun time to see him fight some of the guys we have on our roster,” Coker said.
Bellator already has former WWE champion Bobby Lashley on its roster. Tito Ortiz and Muhammed Lawal, two of Bellator’s biggest stars, also have dabbled in pro wrestling with TNA.
Mixed martial arts in 2014 had the potential of being so much more, and yet it still provided us with some of the better fights and performances that we’ll likely harbor in our Rolodex of memories for the years to come.
Some fighters broke throug…
Mixed martial arts in 2014 had the potential of being so much more, and yet it still provided us with some of the better fights and performances that we’ll likely harbor in our Rolodex of memories for the years to come.
Some fighters broke through and made names for themselves. Others continued building their legacy, carving their place into the annals of MMA history.
Scroll through the slideshow as we grade the UFC’s top 25 fighters and their 2014 performances.
All fighters who went undefeated in 2014 will automatically earn at least a B. Fighters who lost in valiant effort may still qualify for a B or higher. Only the most impressive performances will earn fighters an A or higher.
Scott Coker has said about all he is going to say regarding Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
The Bellator MMA president told MMA Fighting on Monday that Jackson’s case has been “turned over to our attorneys” and he has been told not to speak about it.
“I wish I could comment more,” Coker said. “The lawyers don’t want us to comment on him right now. It’s going to be in the [legal] process.”
The UFC announced it had re-signed Jackson on Saturday night during the UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway broadcast on FOX Sports 1. A taped interview with “Rampage” was aired during the event and then he commented further later on FOX Sports Live. Jackson said he had terminated his contract with Bellator MMA, owned by broadcast giant Viacom, because the promotion did not honor his contract.
Coker contended that same night on Twitter that Jackson remained under “exclusive contract” with Bellator.
Let us be clear that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is under an exclusive contract with #BellatorMMA. We will protect our contractual rights
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Coker compared Jackson’s situation with one involving Randy Couture and Mark Cuban’s HDNet in 2007. Couture resigned from the UFC, citing his lack of compensation, the UFC’s inability to sign Fedor Emelianenko and what he called a lack of respect from UFC brass and attempted to sign with HDNet for what was believed to be a megafight against Emelianenko in Dallas.
Couture planned to wait until his fight contract and promotional/broadcasting contract ended, so he could compete for Cuban’s promotion. The UFC contended that Couture would remain under contract until he fulfilled the terms of his fight contract, which included two more fights.
Cuban filed suit against the UFC in 2008 to get a judgment on Couture’s contractual status. The UFC also sued Couture for breach of contract and irreparable damage. In August 2008, the UFC won its lawsuit against Cuban with a Texas appeals court granting parent company Zuffa’s request for a stay against a motion for a declaratory judgment. A month later, Couture signed a new, three-fight contract with the UFC.
“I’m sure you’ve seen this before in the sport,” Coker said.
The two scenarios are not completely the same. Jackson is claiming that Bellator did not honor his contract. And MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported over the weekend that the biggest point in Jackson’s argument is that Bellator refused to provide the pay-per-view numbers for Bellator 120 when he fought against Muhammed Lawal as contracted. Coker could not comment on that or anything specific about the case.
“Rampage” said on FOX Sports Live that his manager tried to fix the issue with Bellator, but after 45 days nothing was solved. That period, Jackson said, was contracted as the window in which the two parties had to settle a contract dispute.
“You sign a contract for a reason,” Jackson said. “You’re bound by law to do what you say you’re going to do. If you can’t honor your contract, that’s the type of company I don’t really want to be associated with.”
Jackson released a full statement on his website on Sunday “so Scott Coker can shut up,” he wrote on Twitter.
Official statement on my UFC signing and what’s happening at http://t.co/2iCm2dLQDw (so Scott Coker can shut up)
Clearly, Bellator is going to argue that it was not in breach and honored the deal. If lawyers have already gotten involved, things are likely to get messy. If the litigation with Couture, Cuban and the UFC is any indication, this case could be tied up in courts for months or even longer.
“Once it gets turned over to the lawyers out of your hands,” Coker said. “There’s nothing you can do.”
Scott Coker has said about all he is going to say regarding Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
The Bellator MMA president told MMA Fighting on Monday that Jackson’s case has been “turned over to our attorneys” and he has been told not to speak about it.
“I wish I could comment more,” Coker said. “The lawyers don’t want us to comment on him right now. It’s going to be in the [legal] process.”
The UFC announced it had re-signed Jackson on Saturday night during the UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway broadcast on FOX Sports 1. A taped interview with “Rampage” was aired during the event and then he commented further later on FOX Sports Live. Jackson said he had terminated his contract with Bellator MMA, owned by broadcast giant Viacom, because the promotion did not honor his contract.
Coker contended that same night on Twitter that Jackson remained under “exclusive contract” with Bellator.
Let us be clear that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is under an exclusive contract with #BellatorMMA. We will protect our contractual rights
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Coker compared Jackson’s situation with one involving Randy Couture and Mark Cuban’s HDNet in 2007. Couture resigned from the UFC, citing his lack of compensation, the UFC’s inability to sign Fedor Emelianenko and what he called a lack of respect from UFC brass and attempted to sign with HDNet for what was believed to be a megafight against Emelianenko in Dallas.
Couture planned to wait until his fight contract and promotional/broadcasting contract ended, so he could compete for Cuban’s promotion. The UFC contended that Couture would remain under contract until he fulfilled the terms of his fight contract, which included two more fights.
Cuban filed suit against the UFC in 2008 to get a judgment on Couture’s contractual status. The UFC also sued Couture for breach of contract and irreparable damage. In August 2008, the UFC won its lawsuit against Cuban with a Texas appeals court granting parent company Zuffa’s request for a stay against a motion for a declaratory judgment. A month later, Couture signed a new, three-fight contract with the UFC.
“I’m sure you’ve seen this before in the sport,” Coker said.
The two scenarios are not completely the same. Jackson is claiming that Bellator did not honor his contract. And MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported over the weekend that the biggest point in Jackson’s argument is that Bellator refused to provide the pay-per-view numbers for Bellator 120 when he fought against Muhammed Lawal as contracted. Coker could not comment on that or anything specific about the case.
“Rampage” said on FOX Sports Live that his manager tried to fix the issue with Bellator, but after 45 days nothing was solved. That period, Jackson said, was contracted as the window in which the two parties had to settle a contract dispute.
“You sign a contract for a reason,” Jackson said. “You’re bound by law to do what you say you’re going to do. If you can’t honor your contract, that’s the type of company I don’t really want to be associated with.”
Jackson released a full statement on his website on Sunday “so Scott Coker can shut up,” he wrote on Twitter.
Official statement on my UFC signing and what’s happening at http://t.co/2iCm2dLQDw (so Scott Coker can shut up)
Clearly, Bellator is going to argue that it was not in breach and honored the deal. If lawyers have already gotten involved, things are likely to get messy. If the litigation with Couture, Cuban and the UFC is any indication, this case could be tied up in courts for months or even longer.
“Once it gets turned over to the lawyers out of your hands,” Coker said. “There’s nothing you can do.”
Quinton Jackson is no longer under contract with Bellator MMA — at least as far as “Rampage” is concerned.
Jackson said Saturday night on FOX Sports Live that Bellator did not honor his deal and, after 45 days of his manager trying and failing to fix things, he terminated the pact. The UFC announced Saturday night during the UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway broadcast that “Rampage” had re-signed with the organization.
“I haven’t been happy with my contract at Bellator for awhile, since after the pay-per-view with King Mo,” Jackson said. “Bjorn Rebney, I don’t know what happened. He left Bellator, got fired — I don’t know. The contract just wasn’t right. My manager and I, we were trying to fix it. Bellator, they didn’t want to fix it in 45 days. I terminated the contract.”
Jackson fought and beat Muhammed Lawal at the Bellator 120 pay-per-view on May 17. Rebney was ousted as Bellator president by parent company Viacom a month later and replaced by former Strikeforce head Scott Coker.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported on Twitter that Jackson’s main beef with Bellator is that the promotion did not provide the pay-per-view numbers after the Lawal fight as it was contracted to do.
I’m told the main issue here is Rampage is claiming Bellator refused to provide the PPV #s for the Lawal fight …
“It’s just one of those things where people don’t honor their contracts and it’s just not cool,” Jackson said. “You can be a big company and that means you don’t have to honor your contracts?
“The UFC, the one thing about them, they did honor their contract no matter what things went wrong with them. At least they did honor their contract. You sign a contract for a reason. You’re bound by law to do what you say you’re going to do. If you can’t honor your contract, that’s the type of company I don’t really want to be associated with.”
Coker tweeted Saturday night that Jackson was still under an exclusive contract with Bellator and that the organization would protect their contractual rights, perhaps alluding to litigation.
Let us be clear that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is under an exclusive contract with #BellatorMMA. We will protect our contractual rights
Jackson (35-11), the former UFC light heavyweight champion, did not leave the UFC under good terms the first time. After his contract expired following a loss to Glover Teixeira in January 2013, “Rampage” signed with Bellator in June 2013 and ripped the UFC for killing his brand and contributing to the demise of the sport of MMA.
UFC president Dana White and Jackson went back and forth in the media a few times, based mainly around how much White said Jackson got paid as a UFC fighter — upwards of $15.2 million over a five-year span. Jackson denied that figure. But “Rampage” said he and White never had any personal issues.
“We were always cool,” Jackson said. “I understand, it was just business. I didn’t like that the UFC kind of changed the picture, like I retired, saying I got cut from UFC. But I didn’t take it personally. I don’t take business personal most of the time. I didn’t have any bad blood with Dana White. I just wished that things were a bit different.”
Jackson said he and White have not really spoken. But the UFC boss got in touch with Jackson’s people when “Rampage” tweeted his unhappiness with Bellator in November.
Just a thought.. But I’ve learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc
Jackson won three in a row in Bellator after falling in three straight to cap his first run in the UFC. “Rampage” said he could return to the Octagon in “early 2015.”
“I want to come back and fight as soon as possible,” Jackson said. “I’ve been missing the training camps and getting out there. I only got a few more years left in me. I want to put on some exciting fights.”
Quinton Jackson is no longer under contract with Bellator MMA — at least as far as “Rampage” is concerned.
Jackson said Saturday night on FOX Sports Live that Bellator did not honor his deal and, after 45 days of his manager trying and failing to fix things, he terminated the pact. The UFC announced Saturday night during the UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway broadcast that “Rampage” had re-signed with the organization.
“I haven’t been happy with my contract at Bellator for awhile, since after the pay-per-view with King Mo,” Jackson said. “Bjorn Rebney, I don’t know what happened. He left Bellator, got fired — I don’t know. The contract just wasn’t right. My manager and I, we were trying to fix it. Bellator, they didn’t want to fix it in 45 days. I terminated the contract.”
Jackson fought and beat Muhammed Lawal at the Bellator 120 pay-per-view on May 17. Rebney was ousted as Bellator president by parent company Viacom a month later and replaced by former Strikeforce head Scott Coker.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported on Twitter that Jackson’s main beef with Bellator is that the promotion did not provide the pay-per-view numbers after the Lawal fight as it was contracted to do.
I’m told the main issue here is Rampage is claiming Bellator refused to provide the PPV #s for the Lawal fight …
“It’s just one of those things where people don’t honor their contracts and it’s just not cool,” Jackson said. “You can be a big company and that means you don’t have to honor your contracts?
“The UFC, the one thing about them, they did honor their contract no matter what things went wrong with them. At least they did honor their contract. You sign a contract for a reason. You’re bound by law to do what you say you’re going to do. If you can’t honor your contract, that’s the type of company I don’t really want to be associated with.”
Coker tweeted Saturday night that Jackson was still under an exclusive contract with Bellator and that the organization would protect their contractual rights, perhaps alluding to litigation.
Let us be clear that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is under an exclusive contract with #BellatorMMA. We will protect our contractual rights
Jackson (35-11), the former UFC light heavyweight champion, did not leave the UFC under good terms the first time. After his contract expired following a loss to Glover Teixeira in January 2013, “Rampage” signed with Bellator in June 2013 and ripped the UFC for killing his brand and contributing to the demise of the sport of MMA.
UFC president Dana White and Jackson went back and forth in the media a few times, based mainly around how much White said Jackson got paid as a UFC fighter — upwards of $15.2 million over a five-year span. Jackson denied that figure. But “Rampage” said he and White never had any personal issues.
“We were always cool,” Jackson said. “I understand, it was just business. I didn’t like that the UFC kind of changed the picture, like I retired, saying I got cut from UFC. But I didn’t take it personally. I don’t take business personal most of the time. I didn’t have any bad blood with Dana White. I just wished that things were a bit different.”
Jackson said he and White have not really spoken. But the UFC boss got in touch with Jackson’s people when “Rampage” tweeted his unhappiness with Bellator in November.
Just a thought.. But I’ve learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc
Jackson won three in a row in Bellator after falling in three straight to cap his first run in the UFC. “Rampage” said he could return to the Octagon in “early 2015.”
“I want to come back and fight as soon as possible,” Jackson said. “I’ve been missing the training camps and getting out there. I only got a few more years left in me. I want to put on some exciting fights.”
It hasn’t been “The Machida Era” in about half a decade. But “The Dragon” is still one of the best in the world.
Machida cemented his status as a major threat in the middleweight division by destroying C.B. Dollaway in just 62 seconds in the…
It hasn’t been “The Machida Era” in about half a decade. But “The Dragon” is still one of the best in the world.
Machida cemented his status as a major threat in the middleweight division by destroying C.B. Dollaway in just 62 seconds in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway on Saturday night in Barueri, Brazil. Machida landed a left kick to the body that clearly hurt Dollaway and Machida pounced with punches.
“That kick landed, I saw that he felt it and I went for the finish,” Machida told Jon Anik afterward.
Machida (22-5), the former UFC light heavyweight champion, was coming off a unanimous decision loss to Chris Weidman in a UFC middleweight title fight at UFC 175 in July. This victory keeps the 36-year-old extremely relevant in the 185-pound hunt, just behind the likes of Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Yoel Romero, who meet at UFC 184 in what could be a title eliminator. The next opponent for Machida very well could be fellow contender Luke Rockhold, who called “The Dragon” out on Twitter after the Dollaway knockout.
“My main objective is always the belt,” Machida said.
Dollaway (15-6) had won four of his last five fights to announce himself as a true top-10 fighter in the UFC’s middleweight division. The 31-year-old has added better boxing and Muay Thai to his dominant wrestling game. But we never got to see it. Machida didn’t give him a chance.
In the co-main event, Renan Barao made his return by beating Mitch Gagnon by submission (arm triangle) at 3:53 of the third round. The former UFC bantamweight champion has had a rough 2014, losing his title to T.J. Dillashaw in May and then withdrawing from the rematch due to a weight-cutting injury in August.
Barao (33-2, 1 NC) didn’t quite look like the force of nature he was before when he was considered by some as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but he got the job done against a game Gagnon (12-3). Barao, 27, has huge fights ahead of him in 2015 and he addressed Dillashaw afterward.
“Dillashaw, I have two gifts for you — my left hand and my right hand,” Barao said through an interpreter. “I’m going to shut up your mouth.”
Perhaps so does Patrick Cummins, who schooled Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 winner Antonio Carlos Jr. by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) with suffocating wrestling on the main card Saturday. Cummins (7-1) is 34 years old, but seems to have a decently sized ceiling in a thin light heavyweight division.
Rashid Magomedov made a little history in Barueri, defeating Elias Silverio by TKO at 4:57 of the third round. It was the latest finish in UFC history.
Also on the main card, Erick Silva beat Mike Rhodes by submission (arm triangle) in just 1:15 of the first round and Marcos Rogerio de Lima defeated Igor Pokrajac by TKO at 1:59 of the first. Daniel Sarafian won by TKO (injury) when Antonio Dos Santos dislocated his finger at 1:01 of the second round.
On the prelims, Brazilian prospect Renato Carneiro took out Tim Niinimaki by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:30 of the second, Hacran Dias knocked off ranked featherweight Darren Elkins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) and Leandro Issa finished Yuta Sasaki via submission (neck crank) at 4:13 of the second round.
Tim Means maybe should have knocked out Marcio Alexandre in the first round, but a knee was called illegal and Alexandre was given new life. Still, Means dominated the rest of the bout and won by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
The mercurial Quinton Jackson has signed again with the UFC and announced the news Saturday night at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway in an interview on the FOX Sports 1 broadcast. “Rampage” had been competing for Bellator MMA and is still under contract with the organization, Bellator president Scott Coker tweeted. He has not been released.
Coker said that Bellator will “protect our contractual rights.”
Let us be clear that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is under an exclusive contract with #BellatorMMA. We will protect our contractual rights
Jackson remains one of the most well-known names in MMA. He’s a former UFC light heavyweight champion and 2003 PRIDE middleweight grand prix runner-up. “Rampage” has victories in his career over the likes of Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, Wanderlei Silva and Dan Henderson.
“I belong here,” Jackson said of the UFC during the fight broadcast.
Jackson, 36, did not leave the UFC under good terms. He lost three straight in the organization and his contract was up after a unanimous decision defeat against Glover Teixeira on Jan. 26, 2013. Jackson signed with Bellator in June 2013, slamming the UFC for killing the sport of MMA and ruining his brand.
As recently as October, “Rampage” blasted the UFC for not paying him enough money and lying about how much he was compensated. UFC president Dana White, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Jackson over the years, said last year that “Rampage” had made $15.2 million between 2007 and 2012 in the UFC.
“If I had just quit fighting for the UFC and retired, I wouldn’t be able to retire for the rest of my life,” Jackson told Fight Hub TV. “I don’t think so just because of how many kids I’ve got and what I plan on doing. Especially not off my MMA money; not after you pay your taxes, coaches, manager their percentage, you don’t walk away with the number that they (UFC) say that they pay you. The UFC put out a big number that I made over the years, and honestly I don’t believe that it’s true. They lie about a lot of stuff. It is just propaganda.”
Jackson (35-11), though, began to change his tune publicly last month when he tweeted “sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know,” referring to the UFC. “Rampage” was reportedly unhappy with Bellator’s leadership change from Bjorn Rebney to Coker.
Just a thought.. But I’ve learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc
“You guys have no idea how excited I am to be back,” Jackson said on FOX Sports 1. “I just want to come back and come to the big show. The thing about Rampage is, Rampage always comes to excite the fans. I love the fans.”
In Bellator, Jackson won three straight, including a unanimous decision victory over rival Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 120 in May. He was set to fight for the Bellator light heavyweight title next, but it’s currently held by his friend and training partner Emanuel Newton.
Jackson was not a part of Bellator’s big event headlined by Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar on Nov. 15 in San Diego. He was initially supposed to face Ortiz in both of their Bellator debuts in November 2013 until Ortiz got hurt.
He’s back.
The mercurial Quinton Jackson has signed again with the UFC and announced the news Saturday night at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway in an interview on the FOX Sports 1 broadcast. “Rampage” had been competing for Bellator MMA and is still under contract with the organization, Bellator president Scott Coker tweeted. He has not been released.
Coker said that Bellator will “protect our contractual rights.”
Let us be clear that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is under an exclusive contract with #BellatorMMA. We will protect our contractual rights
Jackson remains one of the most well-known names in MMA. He’s a former UFC light heavyweight champion and 2003 PRIDE middleweight grand prix runner-up. “Rampage” has victories in his career over the likes of Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, Wanderlei Silva and Dan Henderson.
“I belong here,” Jackson said of the UFC during the fight broadcast.
Jackson, 36, did not leave the UFC under good terms. He lost three straight in the organization and his contract was up after a unanimous decision defeat against Glover Teixeira on Jan. 26, 2013. Jackson signed with Bellator in June 2013, slamming the UFC for killing the sport of MMA and ruining his brand.
As recently as October, “Rampage” blasted the UFC for not paying him enough money and lying about how much he was compensated. UFC president Dana White, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Jackson over the years, said last year that “Rampage” had made $15.2 million between 2007 and 2012 in the UFC.
“If I had just quit fighting for the UFC and retired, I wouldn’t be able to retire for the rest of my life,” Jackson told Fight Hub TV. “I don’t think so just because of how many kids I’ve got and what I plan on doing. Especially not off my MMA money; not after you pay your taxes, coaches, manager their percentage, you don’t walk away with the number that they (UFC) say that they pay you. The UFC put out a big number that I made over the years, and honestly I don’t believe that it’s true. They lie about a lot of stuff. It is just propaganda.”
Jackson (35-11), though, began to change his tune publicly last month when he tweeted “sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know,” referring to the UFC. “Rampage” was reportedly unhappy with Bellator’s leadership change from Bjorn Rebney to Coker.
Just a thought.. But I’ve learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc
“You guys have no idea how excited I am to be back,” Jackson said on FOX Sports 1. “I just want to come back and come to the big show. The thing about Rampage is, Rampage always comes to excite the fans. I love the fans.”
In Bellator, Jackson won three straight, including a unanimous decision victory over rival Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 120 in May. He was set to fight for the Bellator light heavyweight title next, but it’s currently held by his friend and training partner Emanuel Newton.
Jackson was not a part of Bellator’s big event headlined by Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar on Nov. 15 in San Diego. He was initially supposed to face Ortiz in both of their Bellator debuts in November 2013 until Ortiz got hurt.
