UPDATE: Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Rampage is back.
According to Nancy Gay of UFC.com, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is officially back on the UFC 186 fight card against Fabio Maldonado in a catchweight bout to be contested at 215 pounds.
“We are happy with the decision from the New Jersey Court allowing Rampage to fight in Montreal this Saturday night,” UFC President Dana White said. “I am looking forward to seeing Rampage back in the Octagon.”
Steve Bosse, who was originally scheduled to replace Rampage at the event, will no longer be fighting.
–End of update–
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson may not be out of Saturday’s UFC 186 matchup against Fabio Maldonado just yet.
Bleacher Report received a statement from Bellator MMA that has confirmed a judge in the Superior Court of New Jersey’s Appellate Division has overturned Bellator‘s injunction against Rampage, putting the light heavyweight’s immediate future back in limbo.
“We are gratified that the Appellate Division did not disturb part of the Chancery Division order enjoining Jackson, but are disappointed that they reversed the injunction as to the April 25 fight,” the Bellator MMA statement reads. “We continue to believe that Judge [Karen] Suter’s decision was thorough, well reasoned and correct, and are evaluating our options.”
For his part, Rampage says his fight with Maldonado is a go, a point he announced via Instagram:
UFC officials were unavailable for immediate comment on the matter.
Steve Bosse was originally scheduled to replace Rampage against Maldonado at the event, and it is unclear whether he will still be a part of the fight card at all.
Rampage’s last UFC fight came in January 2013, where he lost a decision to former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Glover Teixeira.
After being released from the organization, Rampage was scooped up by Bellator MMA, and he proceeded to rattle off an impressive three-fight winning streak with two knockout finishes.
Following this streak, Rampage was apparently re-signed by the UFC before the aforementioned injunction was granted in favor of Bellator. Now, Rampage’s future remains unclear, but MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani says an official statement from the UFC will be coming shortly.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report as this situation continues to develop.
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