Jackson Charged, Pleads Not Guilty
by Robert Sargent
Officially charged with two felony and four misdemeanour counts after his July 15th chase with police, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson pleaded not guilty to the charges and posted $25,000 bail on Thursday.
A pre-trial date was set for October 9th, while a pre-hearing of the case will take place on November 3rd. A judge will then decide whether or not the case goes to trial.
Jackson is charged with felony counts of evading while driving recklessly and evading a peace officer while driving against traffic. He faces three misdemeanour charges of hit-and-run with property damage and one charge of reckless driving. The charges stem from a high-speed chase on July 15th, where a disoriented Jackson first collided with one car and refused to stop for police, and was later arrested at gunpoint.
In the days prior to the chase, Jackson, dispondent over his controversial defeat against Forrest Griffin at UFC 86, had stopped eating and sleeping, and was subsiding on energy drinks alone. Though still technically mentally sound, Jackson's delirium caused by the lack of food and rest was the prime factor in the bizarre occurrences of the chase.
Jackson is accused of sideswiping and damaging two vehicles, then fleeing the scene. A police officer, noting Jackson's flat tire, attempted to flag him down, but Jackson instead led police on a chase down the wrong side of the road, colliding with more vehicles and narrowly missing pedestrians at a bus stop. He ran numerous red lights and nearly struck a pair of bicyclists before police managed to stop his custom lifted truck, where Jackson was arrested at gunpoint.
If convicted of the charges, Jackson faces a maximum of three years in prison.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Jackson had split from trainer Juanito Ibarra and would be joining the Wolfslair fight team in Liverpool, England. Wolfslair features UFC stars such as Paul "Tellys" Kelly and Jackson's close friend, Michael "The Count" Bisping. He will split training between Wolfslair and his regular camp in Big Bear, California.
Jackson is rumoured to be competing for the UFC later this year, with possible opponents listed as old foes Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva, as well as a potential immediate rematch with Forrest Griffin. At present, Jackson's official opponent is not yet known, though Rua, who defeated Jackson at PRIDE Total Elimination 2005, seems to be the leading candidate.
Current problems aside, it would be a shame if Jackson was unable to return to form in the UFC, as his charismatic disposition and love for the sport are not to be taken for granted.
