In a surprising turn of events, the New Jersey court that issued the preliminary injunction preventing Rampage Jackson from fighting on Saturday’s UFC 186 card has reversed its decision. At this point, no court records have surfaced but Bellator has issued a statement indicating that it is “disappointed (the court) reversed the injunction as to the April 25 fight.
Bellator has released a statement on Rampage, saying it is “disappointed (the court) reversed the injunction as to the April 25 fight.”
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 21, 2015
Jackson released his own announcement via social media:
It’s time to pay some bills! The fight is back on boyz! April 25th UFC186!! https://t.co/x0JoYEyLY6 — Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) April 21, 2015
Payout Perspective:
One can only guess the reasons for the Court to reverse its decision at this point. In its opinion issued on April 7th, it appeared that the Court seemed dead set that Rampage had breached his contract. Unless there was a procedural defect, the Court must have been persuaded by another issue it overlooked to reverse its opinion. MMA Payout will have more as the information becomes available.
UPDATED: Not surprising, the UFC is pleased with Tuesday’s ruling overturning the preliminary injunction. “We are happy with the decision from the New Jersey Court allowing Rampage to fight in Montreal this Saturday night,” UFC President Dana White said, “I am looking forward to seeing Rampage back in the Octagon.”
I’m guessing the appellate court thought Bellator had an adequate remedy in the form of damages, and they probably considered the financial harm to innocent parties (e.g. other fighters, the venue) if Rampage didn’t fight. If that’s the case, Rampage is still on the hook for a lot of money.
This seems like an unprecedented decision. Does anyone have any legal background to walk through the decision?
I’m a bit surprised that the UFC sees this is a good thing. Could the tables not be reversed in the future with this decision as a precedent?
I think in the end this is based on lack of evidence for bellator. They mentioned investment and harm to bellator if the ufc fight took place. But by that time the same argument could be made for the ufc to cancel a fight so close. It would be easier for a judge to stop a fight if it want booked or was way down the road. Damaging a conosny isn’t easy and might be why the ufc rushed Rampage into a fight so quickly.
RJ better have the cleanest urine ever!!