On Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 58 broadcast, Jon Anik announced that the UFC had re-signed Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The news comes with controversy as Bellator President Scott Coker stated that Jackson is under exclusive contract with the Viacom-owned company.
The signing of Jackson will likely be the start of a legal battle between the UFC and Bellator.
Let us be clear that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is under an exclusive contract with #BellatorMMA. We will protect our contractual rights
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) December 21, 2014
In a Fox Sports interview, Jackson indicated that he had terminated his contract with Bellator because they did not meet their contractual commitments.
Payout Perspective:
The signing comes as a surprise considering the mutual distaste Rampage and Dana White had for each other when he last fought in the UFC in January 2013. It’s clear that based on Coker’s tweet, Jackson’s departure was not granted by Bellator. And, the UFC did not clear with Bellator Jackson’s representation that he terminated his contract due to Bellator’s alleged breach. It appears that the UFC is going with the strategy of plausible deniability. It signed Jackson based on the representation that his contract was void due to the alleged breach by Bellator. This can only lead to a lawsuit for breach of contract (filed by Bellator against Jackson) and tortious interference with a contract (against the UFC).
Jackson was mentioned in the plaintiffs’ antitrust lawsuit against the UFC in regard to the UFC’s desire to obtain exclusive sponsorships with companies. The lawsuit mentioned the UFC blocked Rampage’s exclusive deals with Round 5 and Reebok. Yet, the UFC forged its own exclusive deals with each.
tops E says
http://www.fightopinion.com/2014/12/17/ufc-antitrust-lawsuit-san-jose/#more-17002
tops E says
Desperation….they need rampage hahahahahahahahaha
jjjjjj_ffffff says
Maybe the UFC is trying to make nice with Rampage b/c Ufc knows Rampage has something that could help the fighters in the antitrust suit regarding UFC blocking sponsorships……
jjjjjj_ffffff says
I don’t think this is a desperation move.. and I don’t think the UFC need Rampage the fighter… I think this is a strategic move in the Anti Trust lawsuit to start keeping fighters quiet… Employers/Corporations do this all the time when they get involved in major lawsuits…Employers tell their employees what to say and tell certain employees to keep quiet during suits..
jjjjjj_ffffff says
Eric Cramer allegedly spent 12 -18 months with Quarry/ Le building the antitrust lawsuit against the UFC…
without knowing anything about the suit or evidence, I know there has to be something here for the above fact alone..
saldathief says
What a fucking joke!
BrainSmasher says
jjjjjjjj, you are ignorant. Did you pay attention to anything? First this has nothing to do with the law suit. The UFC never released Jackson or wanted to lose him. He was mad and wanted to leave. So when he tweeted he wanted to come back the UFC was all ears because they always wanted him. To think the ufc made him magically want to come back and they magically forced Bellator to not honor their contract so they can fight a law suit that Rampage isn’t even a part of is just stupid. I’m sure Rampage isn’t the only fighter who had a situation mention in the lawsuit. But the UFC isn’t signing them.
saldathief says
Yea a fucking fighter that lost hos last 3 ufc fights lol This is CM punks worked opponent already picked out. MMA is going to shit fast!
d says
Saldaqueef smelling up the joint again.
Anti trolls says
Tops and sal must be shower buddies
saldathief says
He watch what you say about showers, D and his filthy third world family never had and never will have running water or western plumbing. Filthy people wiping their butts with their hands still. D is desperate bahahahahah
d says
Sal hasn’t showered in a year and shits in diapers. He is noticeably upset with the fact that he was humiliated when he didn’t know what a corporation was. Hahaha.
saldathief says
Good come back love how you make stuff up! 40% down bitch bahahahhaa
d says
Hahahaha. It is driving Sal nuts he doesn’t know basic business info. What a moron. HAHAHAHA!
saldathief says
Big news!!! RJ vs CM in 2015 hahaha what a serious joke!! that alone will make all the UFC fighters jump on the lawsuit Wait for more stupidity by the UFC in 2015 to alienate fighters, it going to be hysterical. hahahaha
d says
Sal clearly didn’t take his meds tonight.
Pink Pig says
BrainSmasher on July 31st, 2013 8:41 PM
Disaster! 2 guys who haven’t won a fight or been meaningful in years and they are going to charge people to see it. lol
Im never one to call fix on legit MMA promotions unless that have a history. But I wouldn’t be surprised here. These guys have trained together for years and are friends. The announcement was very WWE like. Both are greedy attention whores who want to fit in. Bellator is tied to TNA through Viacom. I believe it is already in Jacksons contract to wrestler at some point. Who knows what Tito is up to. I don’t think this will be a worked fight. But there is enough signs to keep your eyes open.
But what I do predict is the fight will suck balls. It always does when two friends fight. Both guys are comfortable and there is no killer instinct. It always looks like a sparring match. Neither guys is in great shape and are old. Both will be tired by round 2. Ever the opportunist. I think Tito cherry picked this fight knowing Rampage isn’t what he used to be and im sure Tito will be in shape even is he is old. Rampage has to be in the best shape in years to win imo.
Regardless who wins. Im waiting for those famous words that fans and Bellator are sure to use……He’s Back!!!!! Because we all know the winner between two homeless guys is all of a sudden a badass!
Pink Pig says
Oh… the IRONY!!! It hurts so bad!!!
🙂
tops E says
Hahahaha….