After over two years away from the Octagon, Quinton Jackson returned to the UFC last Saturday night in a featured co-main event slot at UFC 186 against Fabio Maldonado. Although most expected Rampage’s presence on the card to boost the mediocre PPV event, the fight was awarded with a chorus of boos from disappointed fans at the Bell Centre.
Bellator battles UFC in court for Rampage Jackson
Bellator battles UFC in court for Rampage Jackson
While Rampage earned his first UFC win in nearly four years, it was far from an impressive showing for the fan-favourite. His catchweight bout with Maldonado turned into a humdrum affair that lasted three entire rounds.
UFC President Dana White suggested that Rampage’s absence from the UFC for an extended period of time may have played a factor in his performance.
“Rampage has been gone for a long time. This is the big leagues,” White told Helwani in a post-fight interview following UFC 186. “I don’t know if you remember but when Rampage first came to the UFC and fought Marvin Eastman – very similar performance in that fight. Now that Rampage is back here, he knows what he’s got to do to stay here.
Jackson is also faced with a legal battle with Bellator, after he chose to self-terminate his contract and sign with the UFC without informing his former employers. While Bellator succeeded in getting an injunction barring Jackson from competing at UFC 186, it was later reversed, which led to Rampage’s appearance on the Montreal PPV.
When asked about the light-heavyweight’s ongoing legal conflict with Bellator, White revealed that Jackson is likely in for some “troubles” in the near future.
“I think he does. I think he’s definitely got some legal troubles ahead of him, so we’ll see how this thing plays out.”
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