Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Allegedly Retiring

by Robert Sargent

In a posting today on his official website, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has announced his intentions to retire from mixed martial arts due to ongoing disagreements with the UFC and UFC President Dana White.

The post outlines a number of situations that Jackson has been forced or tricked into and addresses White's recent online insults regarding Jackson.

Among the topics discussed in the post, Jackson talks about being forced to fight Chuck Liddell for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship after just one fight in the UFC. Jackson knew that fans would not take kindly to his immediate title shot and requested more fights before facing Liddell, and was then met with boos from the audience after he defeated Liddell for the title.

The UFC then put Jackson against PRIDE Middleweight and Welterweight Champion Dan Henderson without telling Jackson about the fight beforehand and never referred to Jackson as the Unified Light Heavyweight Champion after he defeated Henderson at UFC 75. That honour was given to Anderson Silva, however.

Jackson goes on to discuss the circumstances surrounding later fights, including ones against Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine, and how he was originally set to face Lyoto Machida but was forced to coach on TUF 10 to fight Rashad Evans instead.

The remainder of the incredibly interesting blog can be found on his site, but it immediately brings into question how well the top fighters in the UFC are really treated. UFC President Dana White did a lot for Jackson following Jackson's arrest, but has since been extremely critical of Jackson's decision to be a part of the upcoming "A-Team" movie remake.

Jackson discusses, at length, exactly why the movie role is so important to him, and it is information that contradicts White's previous statements.


Whether Jackson does, in fact, leave mixed martial arts for a career in acting, the fact remains that it took courage for him to stand up for what he felt was right. He has made his share of mistakes, but at least his side of the story is finally coming to light.