UFC to Rampage: You Can Check Out But Never Leave…
Posted by Dave Walsh on September 23rd, 2009
Rumor has it, from Rampage Jackson himself, that he is done with MMA, most notably of course his home in the UFC. Dana White is a master of the PR wars, often times doing whatever it takes, including making himself a target, to get what he wants in the end. Rampage is playing a dangerous game engaging Dana in a battle like this, especially after his incident where he Rampaged through SoCal streets in his custom-decal-laden truck. Dana and the UFC were there to bail out their star. Rampage sounds conflicted when talking about his decision to leave the UFC.The UFC has done a lot for me but I think I have done more for them. The UFC bought WFA to get my contract & they saved my life, so I felt loyal to them. They pushed me into a fight with Chuck Liddell even when I clearly stated I wasn’t ready to fight for the belt because the American fans didn’t know me but I took the fight and didn’t complain & after I won the American fans booed me for the first time which changed the way I saw them & it hurt me deeply.
Rampage, truly out of character (but still clearly himself) in a blog posting, declares how hurt has has been over certain things, namely Dana White joking about Rampage’s relationship with his father and decision to make this movie. The A-Team film can be huge for Rampage, no doubt. If it is a smash hit and is signed on for sequels, merchandising, TV spin-offs and whatever else, Quinton Jackson will be a household name. If it opens up the door for other action films and he becomes a Hollywood darling, even better.
Reality, though, might be a bit more harsh than this. If you look at UFC’s history with fighters who want out, you’ll see that Dana White will get what he wants in the end, by hook or by crook. A good example of this is as fresh as this weekend, where veteran Frank Trigg was demolished by Josh Koscheck and UFC President Dana White made it clear that Trigg was “done.” Trigg was frustrated, said he was done fighting and would most likely look for broadcasting opportunities in other companies. Frank Trigg will now be offered another fight.
Tito Ortiz is most notably one of White’s biggest rivals over the past few years, to the point where a SpikeTV slot was booked for a boxing match between Dana White and Tito Ortiz. Tito thought the whole thing was a big joke and didn’t show up, so Dana instead had a television special slamming Ortiz and glorifying himself and his training for the phantom fight instead. As soon as Ortiz could be gone, he was gone, had some bidding wars with EliteXC, Affliction, Strikeforce, then Dana got him back into the fold.
Randy Couture was retired, a few times. The first time, he pitched a Heavyweight title fight against Sylvia to Dana and Dana was glad to bring him back. The second time, he wanted out, he wanted to have his dream fight with Fedor and retire. Lawsuits, bad blood, bad PR and a year later, Randy was losing the UFC Heavyweight title to the new Heavyweight Juggernaut; Brock Lesnar. Not even Randy’s budding film career, clothing line, branded gyms or independence could keep him away from the UFC.
For Rampage to truly stay out of the UFC and MMA, he will need an iron will and will need to develop some thicker skin. I look forward to seeing him fight next year. There is my outlook. Dana White thinks he is acting like a big baby. Go figure. Let the chessmaster begin his game.
September 24th, 2009 at 4:08 am
Frank Shamrock somehow managed it!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Is this the reason why Rampage decided to quit MMA? “The ongoing bickering between UFC president Dana White and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson regarding the former light heavyweight champion’s mixed martial arts and acting careers has apparently reached a conclusion.”