A New Jersey court has granted the injunction request of Bellator MMA in its request to prevent Rampage Jackson from fighting at UFC 186 later this month.
Judge Karen L. Suter granted Bellator’s request for relief on Tuesday morning. Jackson was scheduled to fight Fabio Maldanado on April 25th as the co-main event of the PPV. Jackson appeared on FS1 during UFC Fight Night 63 to promote the fight. In fact, the UFC had promoted Jackson’s fight despite the possibility he could be off the show.
Bellator MMA sued Jackson for breach of contract in New Jersey. This was based on Jackson’s decision to “terminate” his contract citing Bellator’s lack to cure what Jackson perceived as Bellator’s breach of contract.
Interesting enough, Jackson and/or his management indicated that they had sought the advice of UFC’s lawyers in determining that his leaving Bellator for UFC was legal.
The lawsuit is not over as the two sides will continue to litigate this matter. However, it’s a big blow for Rampage and the UFC.
Bellator issued a statement regarding the ruling. “We are pleased by the judge’s ruling and look forward to having Rampage fighting for Bellator again soon.” Rampage Jackson issued his own statement via Instagram.
(h/t: MMA Fighting)
Payout Perspective:
Jackson essentially cites the old attorney excuse of being “hometowned” as the reason for losing on Tuesday. Regardless, the ruling is a blow to the UFC as it decimates its PPV later this month. One has to wonder why it decided to promote Jackson’s appearance prior to the ruling. Moreover, the fact that the UFC may have provided its legal opinion on the contract is another blow for the organization. With that being said, the lawsuit is not over and Jackson’s legal team may still have a chance in proving that Bellator did not hold up to its end of the contract. Or, in the alternative, Scott Coker may have to work his personal skills in having Rampage rejoin Bellator.
The biggest loser in all of this is Rampage, then Bellator and lastly the UFC. Rampage & whomever is advising him are fools, he is going to be in limbo for awhile, how many ‘needle-movers’ does Bellator have compared to the UFC? Sure, this will hurt the upcoming UFC PPV, but keeping Rampage out of Bellator?… PRICELESS.
Any legal recourse for the UFC here ?
Rampage burning bridges two at a time…
Rampage is under contract with Bellator, end of story. The contract states that if Rampage wants to leave he needs to send a written notice to Bellator etc etc which has never been done. There was enough here for Bellator to bring Rampage to court. Anyone who thought a judge would allow him to fight for another employer under those conditions are incompetent at best.
I’m sure this was a calculated move by the UFC to keep Rampage out of Bellator’s events. No matter how it turned out, they win on both counts.
If it wasn’t for bad ufc news there wouldn’t be any UFC news haha morons can’t even sign RJ, more lawyers hahaha
More of Sal’s welfare paid rants.
@jjjj_fff Rampage may seek an appeal of the preliminary injunction. UFC is not a party so it can’t do much.
Hahahahaha