It’s been a few months since we’ve heard any news about Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. After the former UFC light heavyweight champion dropped a unanimous decision to Glover Teixeira on the UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Dodson card—his third straight defeat—he fulfilled his contractual obligations and was searching for greener pastures outside the UFC.
He didn’t go quietly, telling ESPN in a pre-fight interview: “I can’t wait to leave the UFC and have nothing to do with them anymore.”
Jackson had also complained about how he was treated and the money he was making, prompting Dana White to respond with: “He needs to work with people who can make him happy.”
Late on Monday night, the former Pride veteran hinted at some good feelings, and sent out a tweet that some big news about him was coming:
Not long after that, One FC chairman and CEO Victor Cui sent out a tweet of his own, possibly alluding to Jackson taking his trademark chain and fight-entrance howl to The One FC:
“Looking fwd to seeing you next month!” Cui said. The tweet has since been removed from his timeline.
If it is indeed true, this would come as a surprise to many, as it had been widely assumed Jackson would wind up in Bellator, or perhaps under the World Series of Fighting banner.
In less than two years, the Singapore-based One FC has quickly become the biggest MMA promotion in Asia. They have put on nine events in several countries inside the continent, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore.
They have had several former UFC fighters on their fight cards, but none with as big of a name or the drawing potential of Jackson. The One FC has only had a handful of light heavyweight fights in its almost two-year existence, with the most notable fighter being Renato “Babalu” Sobral.
Having a fighter of Jackson’s popularity should easily help to secure other 205’ers who would like a shot at the 34-year-old veteran. How much “Rampage” has left remains to be seen; he hasn’t won since defeating Matt Hammill at UFC 130, over two years ago.
He has never hidden his affinity for fighting in Japan, or his disdain for the UFC. Maybe now he finds happiness in the latest chapter of his career, back on the continent where he began his ascent to stardom—this time further south.
Michael Stets is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report
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