Life isn’t always fair sometimes, but it is what you make of it.
Some people sheepishly accept the lack of fairness in life as an absolute. They won’t bother in any attempt to change things for the better for fear of repercussion or what others may think of them for trying.
Some people persevere and overcome their adversity by never giving up on their goals or on themselves. They believe strongly in fairness and will always fight for their right to achieve an equal playing field.
Others may simply feel compelled to complain about how other people are jealous of them (or their opportunities) and about how no one gives them the respect that they feel so adamantly that they have earned. They are content on playing the victim (especially when they are in the wrong), no doubt hoping to gain public sympathy and support for their own worthless cause.
For Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, life has been more than fair. In fact, Jackson has been given many opportunities in this life that no doubt many others could only have dreamt of having.
So why all of the recent hostility between UFC President Dana White and the now retired UFC fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson?
In summary, for various reasons, Jackson had decided that it was more important to pursue an acting career, than to fulfill his contractual obligation to the UFC or its’ fans. According to Jackson, he is hardly to blame.
To quote Jackson (from his blog):
“The UFC bought WFA to get my contract & they saved my life, so I felt loyal to them.”
“The UFC has done a lot for me but I think I have done more for them.”
“After I won, the American fans booed me for the first time which changed the way I saw them & it hurt me deeply.”
“Dana talked me into fighting Rashad anyway but Rashad refused the fight and so I had to fight Jardine….. which wasn’t even worth it to me financially.”
“[Something that had been said publicly by Dana White] could really hurt my future acting career, which could very well last longer than my fighting career.”
So then, what’s got UFC President Dana White upset? It would appear that White is completely unimpressed with Jackson and the fact that they are no longer friends.
“Something’s about to happen there. You know me, we were good friends. When I’m your friend, I’m your best friend in the world. But we’re not friends anymore, and when I’m your enemy, I’m a bad enemy to have.” (MMANews.com)
“Rampage is a grown man. He’s acting like a baby right now, but he’s a grown man. If he wants to be in the movie business, Rampage, good luck to you, man. I hope he makes it big, and I’m not being sarcastic. … I hope the movie thing works out for him. If that’s what he truly wants to do, and that’s what he feels and that’s what he thinks his career is, I wish him all the luck in the world.” (KHTK Radio)
In my opinion, Jackson really has nothing to say in his defense for pulling out of his UFC contract. At best, all he can do is continue to play the victim in the hopes that a few of his remaining fans will feel bad enough for him, that they will offer up their moral support.
The thing about that is; sympathy will only get you so far in life before everyone will eventually become completely and unwaveringly disenfranchised with you and your constant need to make excuses.
“Any momentary triumph you think you have gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory: The resentment and ill will you stir up is stronger and lasts longer than any momentary change of opinion. It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying a word. Demonstrate, do not explicate.”
Cry all you want Rampage, but all of the complaining in the world will not change the fact that you were in the wrong.
People will always choose sides whether they want to or not. When certain questions are raised, it is human nature to examine our personal values and beliefs to determine for ourselves which side of the coin makes the most sense.
As much as we may feel bad for Rampage (and as much as we may allow our disdain or contempt for Dana White to cloud this judgment), the truth is the truth and nothing that Dana White or Rampage Jackson can say will change that.
So now I’m curious. Does anyone else have anything to say about this?
Uh oh Rampage…I think I can hear your dogs barking!
I am a big supporter of White but I am a huge fan of Rampage too so I find it difficult to take sides here.
Was Rampage in the wrong for not fulfilling his contract and jetting for Hollywood? Yes
Does DW take advantage of his fighters to benefit the company? Yes
Both have reasons for their actions and both need to be held accountable. I think the situation is ultimately going to work itself out and Rampage will be back inside the octagon by the fall of 2010.
I think a man should do as he wishes and do what makes him feel right. If he doesnt believe in what he is doing it is not worth doing at all.
That said, fighting in MMA is a dangerous job if you heart is not in it. You simply cant fight if you dont have that fire.
BUT, if you have as a man (or adult, not trying to be sexist) enter into a contract that you once intended to fulfill, you should do whatever it takes to stand by the word you were willing to give the day you put pen to paper and reaped the rewards that contract once provided.
Also, if your a public figure whos entire forward movement is based on the love of your fans, you owe them more than anything to do whatever you can to support them back for supporting you for so long.
I really like Page. I really dont like what he has done here, and when you throw his attrocious coaching on top like a bright little red cherry, this sunday is looking more and more like a trash talking treat I can get into.
Alas I will refrain from negativity, but I wish Page had made some different choices here.
And as much as I love Dana (one of the few) the guy is a shark, I am sure he has his faults in this as well. Hes just not the one making poor decisions in this case.
For me, Rampage has made a string of poor idea based decisions, including snubbing the boss. Firing, or “Not Using” Jaunito, was just, well, for lack of a better word, dumb. Your successes came with him, in abundance, including knocking out UFC HOF fighter Chuck Lidell, when in all honesty, a lot of people did not think it would happen. Certainly not the way it did. Really, when Jaunito guaranteed victory against Forrest, it is worth noting that he was expressing support and belief in Rampage.
When Dana said that he didnt always make the best decisions, he was not kidding. If Tito and Dana could patch it up, Rampage can too. But, it is going to take something that I wonder if Rampage has anymore…being humble.
Dana, right or wrong, holds all of the cards, and one cheesey movie remake is not going to pay the bills a year down the road, nor open a ton of hollywood doors. Page, as I see it has no choice…fight for the UFC and shut up, or go broke, like fast.
I might add, most of all, I miss seeing Rampage slam somebody! Its been way too long.
I am a huge Rampage fan. I find his trash talking hilarious and he is a beast in the cage.
From what I understand it Rampage wanted to fight Evans as soon as Evans won the title. Rashad did refuse the fight. Rampage was forced to fight Jardine for little money and was named number 1 contender. He was also forced to take the fight on short notice but pulled out due to surgery.
After Evans lost the title, he really wanted to fight for the title. White talked him into still fighting Rashad because of the post-fight trash talking session between the two after UFC 96. Rampage also did not want to coach another season of TUF but he was informed that he had to so that he could fight Rashad and move on to a title shot. Although nothing excuses his actions he did get the short end of the stick.
The fact that he wanted to delay the Evans fight so that he could film the A-team movie angered White and the honchos at Zuffa. They gave him an ultimatum and came out the losers. I personally think that White is just waiting for Rampage to cool off a bit and will re-open discussion about a possible return.
Does anyone know how many fights he has left in his contract?
Page has been slipping for some time, and the red bull , 4 wheel drive extravaganza was just the icing on the cake..he is slowly cracking like an egg..mentally BELIEVE IT!
I agree Rampage should go on with his fight with Evans but if he wanted to do the fight Dana White should have shut up and let him do it. Its not like White never made Jackson wait Jackson should have never lost the title to Griffin and yet never got a rematch. Crushed Wandy beat Jardine down 3 months later then didnt get the title match still. Jackson should do the TUF fight but I see his point about it too.
Arrest
On July 15, 2008, 10 days after losing his belt to Forrest Griffin, Jackson was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony reckless driving, and felony hit and run after striking several vehicles. He led pursuing officers on a chase while driving on the wrong side of the street and on city sidewalks in his lifted Ford F-350 with his picture painted on the side. During the chase one of the tires blew out on his truck and he continued to flee while driving on his rims. On July 18, 2008, UFC President Dana White gave an interview to Yahoo! Sports in which he said that Jackson had initially been detained for a 72 hour stay, but that had been extended. White was quoted as saying, “I think it's going to be a while before we get him back.”[citation needed] White also claimed that before the detainment, Jackson did not sleep for four days and was not eating, but only energy drinks and became mentally ill from dehydration. According to White, no drugs were found in Jackson's system.[40]
Quinton Jackson has been charged with one felony count of evading police while driving recklessly, one felony count of evading police and driving against traffic, three misdemeanor counts of hit and run with property damage, and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving when he nearly hit several pedestrians. If convicted, Jackson could face up to 3 years in prison.[41]
On August 28, 2008 Jackson pleaded not guilty to the above 2 felonies and 4 misdemeanors; however, on January 8, 2009 he pleaded guilty to one felony count of evading a police officer and driving against traffic and one misdemeanor count of driving recklessly as part of a plea agreement. Jackson will not be sentenced until January 7, 2010; in the meantime, he must complete 200 hours of community service, attend mental health therapy, pay restitution, and comply with other terms and conditions. Based on his compliance, the felony charges may be dropped, or Jackson may be sentenced to additional probation or jail time.[42]
Holly Griggs is one of the victims in the above police chase. She filed a civil suit against Jackson alleging “the impact of her abdomen with the steering wheel caused her amniotic fluid membranes (bag of waters) to rupture, ultimately resulting in the stillbirth of her baby.” She is asking for $25,000 in damages for “property damage, personal injury and emotional distress.”[43]
Rampage is not the first (nor will he be the last) professional athlete to retire from his contract.
When other players retire from their contracts, we hold ceremonies, raise their jerseys and show them respect.
We all are looking for MMA to be accepted mainstream, but how can the sport be accepted when we (the actual fans of the sport) treat the athletes different from other sports.
First my opinion is that Dana White is in the right on this but in typical Dana fashion has stepped over the line trying to “hurt” his fighter. Rampage is crying victim and right now fans aren't as sympathetic as they would have been if we weren't being affected by this slew of injuries to UFC stars.
- Rampage signed on to coach TUF as a way to heal up from his nagging injuries rather than taking a fight against Lyoto Machida. Part of the deal of coaching TUF is to fight the opposing coach shortly after the wrapping up of the show.
- The casting for the A-Team came after his TUF agreement and while it is a potentially lucrative opportunity it completely put the kibosh on a timely UFC PPV featuring Jackson vs Evans. Also the choice of Memphis as a location for the event was heavily based on Jackson fighting on the card.
- Rather than take the heat from White in private, go film the movie, and come back to fight Jackson started spewing UFC hate and blame. The smarter move would have been to go the Roger Huerta route. Do your movies, keep your mouth shut, and comeback when you're finished to wrap up your contract. As much as it annoyed Dana that a red hot Huerta was leaving to pursue other opportunities White never bashed Huerta's aspirations or tried to focus a fan backlash on the fighter.
We need to remember that these fighters are human beings and do not live in a vacuum. Rampage saw dollar signs, potentially big dollar signs for doing something that didn't require him to get punched or kicked.
In addition this opportunity, if handled correctly could greatly increase his already considerable star power in the UFC, lead to other opportunities, and maybe wipe out the remnants of the negative stigma associated with him because of his road rampage.
Unfortunately the situation wasn't handled correctly and his management is to blame. They should have shut Rampage up, placated White with promises of Rampage taking a more prominent role in promoting the UFC after he wrapped up the movie, and fighting whoever White desired for his next fight.
Instead of a resolution where all parties are at least satisfied we're left with finger pointing, threats, and promotion-fighter bashing. I think it'll be overcome much like the Tito Ortiz situation was but don't look for any hijinks between White & Rampage cageside anytime soon.