Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (Pictured) has posted several cryptic messages on his Twitter account over the past several days urging for the need to stay positive. However, early Tuesday morning the former UFC light heavyweight champion expressed negative feelings towards his current employer and is just about ready to sever ties with the planet’s premier mixed martial arts promotion.
“I will fight who ever they put n front of me, I always have, but it will b my last fight n the ufc, I have other things on my mind,” Rampage tweeted. “I didn’t say I would b done fighting, I just said I’m not fighting 4 the UFC, (u fight cheap) I said I have other things on my mind (big head).”
Rampage just dropped a lopsided unanimous decision defeat to Ryan Bader at UFC 144. Although last month’s loss was one of the worst performances of his illustrious career, that’s not what drew the ire of UFC management. The 33-year-old weighed in at a whopping 211 pounds, five pounds over the limit for a non-title light heavyweight affair.
Speaking of getting on your boss’ bad side, Rampage revealed following the fight that he was prescribed Testosterone Replacement Therapy by his doctor prior to meeting Bader. Taking the controversial treatment is one thing, but what got him in hot water was when he stated, “So I spoke to the UFC and they were like, ‘Yeah, a lot of fighters are probably doing it but not telling anyone.’”
The quote has since mysteriously vanished from FightersOnly’s interview.
As if that weren’t enough, Rampage also upset several UFC honchos for declining to fight in January’s FOX show and publicly petitioned to get placed on February’s Japan card. After being granted his wish, Rampage returned the favor by grossly missing his mark on the scales. He later spotlighted a knee injury suffered during training camp as the reason for missing weight.
Rampage has posted a 7-4 mark inside the Octagon. He beat Chuck Liddell to capture the 205-pound crown back in May of 2007, but lost the title two bouts later to Forrest Griffin.
Prior to making his big league debut in February of 2007, Rampage made his claim to mixed martial arts fame with his epic battles in the Orient. Of his 41 professional fights, 18 of them had taken place in Japan. Although he didn’t always come out on the winning end of the shootouts, the slugger’s charisma and willingness to engage allowed him to become a fan-favorite.
If he is in fact done with the UFC, The Land of the Rising Sun could be where he closes out his career.
Original Story:
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March 07, 2012
