Get ready for one of the dumbest, short-sighted, and career-damaging statements EVER in the history of the UFC.
Not to mention—insulting.
But first, put your hand up if you are a huge fan of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (keeping in mind that it would have to include both his fighting and his acting careers).
Now I know what you’re thinking (that’s right—I’m in your head and there’s not a damn thing that you can do about it!), why both? Can’t it just be one or the other?
Sorry, fight fans—like it or not, they have definitely become a packaged deal.
At least, that’s what “Rampage” is obviously counting on when he stated the following at a recent interview in London, where he was promoting the highly energetic A-Team movie:
“Honestly, when movies start paying me as much, just as much, same amount; I gotta keep up my lifestyle—I’m like done with fighting. Right now, fighting is my bread; it’s my living.”—Q. Jackson
Translation: My heart just isn’t into fighting any more. I am only in it for the paycheque and as soon as another paycheque of an equal or greater value comes along, preferably as a movie star, I will quit fighting in a heart-beat.
Hmmm…so in the meantime, fans are supposed to give a crap about any of his upcoming fights, right?
Wrong.
You can put your hands down now, by the way.
What really boggles my mind is that “Rampage” honestly feels that he has anything to gain in this life by disparaging his career as an MMA fighter.
Why does he honestly think that he has had any of the “acting” opportunities that he has had up until this point?
Because of his Oscar-calibre acting skills?
No—because the movie production companies are anxious to cash-in on the tremendous revenues created by MMA fans worldwide—that’s why. It’s his “popularity” with MMA fans that they want—not Rampage’s “inner-Shakespeare.”
They are simply using him.
So here’s the history lesson:
Jackson was loved by MMA fans for his epic battles and entertaining personality. They all respected his “street warrior” mentality. Personally, I just enjoyed seeing him slam guys onto their heads—something that we haven’t seen since his inception into the UFC.
In September 2009, Jackson wrote in a blog on his website that he was “done fighting,” due to maltreatment by the UFC. Boo hoo.
Then in December 2009, Jackson informed the MMA community (again—via his web blog) that he was ready to return to the UFC to finish his contract and that he desperately wanted to fight Rashad Evans.
Dana White eagerly agreed and in specific preparation for this fight, Jackson appeared for a second time as a coach on the reality series The Ultimate Fighter opposite Evans (epic fail). Both men were initially scheduled to fight at UFC 107, but this bout was cancelled when Jackson opted to take a movie role instead, in order to play B. A. Baracus in The A-Team feature film—a “boy-hood” dream come true (puke). I like to refer to this stage of Jackson’s career as “the beginning of the end.”
Somehow and somewhere, Dana White and “Rampage” eventually kissed and made-up. Probably because Jackson was still under contract with the UFC and White wasn’t about to make it easy on him, particularly after Jackson bailed on the UFC (and its fans), launching a painful string of pay-per-view let-downs.
At the UFC 107 press conference, White said that if Evans could defeat Thiago Silva at UFC 108, then a fight between Evans and Jackson would finally come to fruition. Okay—better late than never, I guess.
The fight against Evans would determine who would challenge Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in his first UFC Light Heavyweight title defence. To the surprise of many, Jackson ended up losing to Evans via unanimous decision. Hardly worth the hype as Jackson looked to be at his worst.
On March 24, 2010, Dana White announced that Jackson had signed a new six fight contract with the UFC.
Jackson is now expected to face Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida at UFC 123. Believe me fight fans—this fight won’t be nearly as competitive as you might hope that it will be. My prediction is that Jackson will deliver another disappointing effort and get knocked out in the first round—you heard it here first.
Look—it’s okay to want more from life. We all have goals (or at least we should, so if you don’t have any—go get some!) and I think that it’s really cool that Jackson wants bigger and better things for himself.
Seriously, I do.
The problem I have is that Jackson is foolishly burning the bridge at both ends.
He wants out of fighting?
Fine—get out!
Retire!
See ya around!
Thanks for the fond memories!
But if he thinks that by announcing to the world that his motivation (and let’s not forget loyalty) have now taken a back-seat to his other aspirations, and that the fans will continue to respect and support him—he is sorely mistaken.
With every fight that Jackson completes on his newly acquired six fight contract, he will lose more and more respect from the fans who will see that his heart just isn’t in it. Sure, he could try to hide it, but he’s just not that good of an actor (obviously).
How many fight fans out there would give up their left nut to be able to have the opportunity to fight in the UFC just one time?
Hands up!
So once Jackson manages to alienate and disappoint all of his remaining MMA fan-base, how many movie production companies do you think will still be interested in him?
My guess: the big “Zero.”
Here’s some free advice for my buddy, Rampage…
Success has clearly gone to your head. Live in the moment and enjoy what you have. Stop being such an ungrateful, spoiled brat and maybe—just maybe—your “fans” will support whatever and anything that you do in this life.
I know I would.
We know that you can’t fight forever and nobody is expecting you to.
But as a general consensus, fighters need to fight for the love of fighting. Money and opportunity aren’t supposed to be the prime motivators. Simply the benefits that come from hard work and success.
Just don’t betray us all by thinking that we don’t care about such things as honesty, integrity, and the good ‘ol fashioned love of punching someone in the face.
You should do whatever makes you happy and whatever you are the most passionate about. How will you know when you’ve found it?
Easy—you would do it for FREE.
.
.
These are my opinions. If you don’t like them…I have others. Check them out at www.mrjamesryan.com
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Great Job! “Rampage” Im not shocked at all because you had the physical power but never had The Heart & Mindset of a True Fighter! What appeared to be a Fighter was “Just poor acting!” Loyality? MMmm?? You never had it for Fighting and it’s about $ signs & always will be! ByeBye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hear, Hear! Well said! The real problem is, like most guys who get into that “Rock Star” attitude, they can’t/won’t listen, and when it’s too late and it’s all over, they end up looking pathetic (and dumb) standing there saying, “What happened?”
Like I said there, personally I think whatever he decides to do, more power to him. He’s been fighting for a long time and his knockout losses to Shogun and Wanderlei were some of the most brutal I’ve seen, if he wants to hang up the gloves I wouldn’t be shocked. As a fan it wouldn’t be that great, sure, but he hasn’t seemed to be as interested in the fight game lately has he was in the past, and doesn’t know whether he wants to stop fighting or continue doing what he knows best – however, it’s a known fact that he hates training, and possibly doesn’t take the sport as seriously as he should these days. It seems after he won the UFC title, his interest peaked and has been dropping ever since, but obviously some are interested in him in hollywood because he got picked for the A-Team movie, and he and his agent would know better than we would about whether there is any future buzz regarding him in film.
good for him. i wouldnt want to see another tito ortiz out there on my PPV. You know someone who also would quit fighting for an equal or bigger paycheck. But we all know tito is a terrible actor so hes gotta stick to fighting.
For me, it’s more of a shit or get off the pot. Focus on fighting or focus on acting, he’s going to have a hard time being great at either if they are only part time jobs. I think a committed Rampage is a top 3 fighter at LHW which freaking says a lot. It’s a deep, deep division. But a Money Rampage will struggle to stay in the top 10 also cause it’s such a hard division. Time will tell.
Great article, as always, James. Keep them coming.
Great comment thread going on here. Lot’s of heated debate LOL
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/428144-rampage-jackson-drops-an-atomic-bomb-on-both-of-his-careers
The funny thing is.. I did raise my hand when you asked for it, and put it down when you said so LMAO.
I’ve always been a Rampage fan, but that is just one of the stupidest things I’ve heard from him. Please don’t tell me he is hanging out with Chael Sonnen.
I like Rampage, and like what others have said, he’s entitled to his own opinion and it’s his life, but unlike them, I agree with you. Case in point. Sly Stallone made the Rocky movie which won Oscars, and made him hugely popular. Then he made a bunch more crappy movies, and Rambo saved his career. If not for Rambo, he wouldn’t still have a career. If not for the UFC and Pride, Rampage wouldn’t be an actor. And he should finish out his contract. And other people have said he doesn’t owe us anything. He may not owe the fans his life, but he owes them the six-fights he signed on to, and he owes Dana White, the man who is the reason he has an acting career. Rampage needs to think his decision through. Nice article.
Good stuff, Ryan. Rampage’s stock is dropping with every fight at this point. I really don’t see him having a chance against Machida. I will be curious to see who they put him up against after two losses in a row.
Great article! I used to be such a huge Rampage fan, going back to his feud with Wanderlei in Pride. That all changed when he abandoned his fight career in the UFC to pursue a role in the live action A-Team movie… think of the gravity of that statement. Acting endeavors are fine for side projects, but MMA shouldn’t be your segue into acting. Stuff like this pisses me off. MMA is still a developing sport, it’s top contenders leaving to try pursue acting careers is so bad for it. Furthermore, UFC has been so good to Rampage, the fact that he dropped out of his fight against Rashad the first time – held in his home town, no freakin’ less) – speaks volumes about his passion for the sport/company that gave so much to him.
The REALLY upsetting part about it all is that fans don’t recognize this. I don’t know about you, but after watching TUF season 10, my sentiments toward “Sugar” Rashad Evans did a complete 180. Despite his cocky persona, he came off as a stand-up dude, not letting ego interfere with his coaching. Rampage, on the other hand, came off as a diva that didn’t give two craps about the fighters on his team. I thought for sure everyone else recognized this and would unanimously side with Rashad upon Jacksons return in May. Much to my chagrin, the chants of “Rampage” that filled the MGM Grand were deafening… WHY?!?! Because he’s can be funny? Because he can be theatrical? You want that? watch WWE.
The fact remains; Rampage pissed all over the company that gave him so much, yet gets a pass because he has a bubbly personality. Call me old fashioned, but I’ll take a badass fighter that respects the sport over a comedian-athlete any day of week. I’m just sayin…
By saying his heart is’nt in it and continuing to fight, he IS doing us all a favor!!! Because starting with Evans, he got outwrestled and embarresed after talking all that trash and not backing it up. next he will get his ass handed to him by Machida which will be great !! Then he’ll be downgraded to gatekeeper and will get to see his unmotivated, not so well trained ass get beaten by some up and comers !! Then he will be relegated to pre lim status where he will continue to get his B movie makin ass whooped. So you see, any way u cut it he’s done us all a favor. Quinton fans ( whats left of them ) will get to see their fighter fight, the rest of us who are done with him will get to see him get hiss ass kicked, and He will collect a paycheck. It’s a win win all the way round !!!!! Yipppeeee !.
This isn’t something that should catch anyone off guard though. Quinton made known very early in his career that he was in this sport to make money, not because it was a passion. He’s had issues with motivation in his career before, especially late during his time in Pride. It’s why he’s constantly had to change who he trains with, someone has to find a new way to motivate him to be at his best.
You couldn’t tell by his recent retirement then return…not to mention his performance in his latest few fights that his heart seriously hasn’t been in fighting for quite some time.
Well written article as always Mr. Ryan.
The guy is just trying to make a living till something bigger and better comes along.
Nice piece, James, and in al honesty I’m a bit baffled as to why Rampage would say such a thing. I wish I could say “Maybe this was just said in the heat of the hype for The A-Team”, but I’m going to believe that this is legit, and it will therefore allow everyone to unfortunately refer to Rampage as “That guy who got beat by that other guy after all that trash talk”.
If he does seriously quit — and if anyone even remembers of his his accomplishments when he’s gone, all coupled with the fact that Rampage Vs. Evans was originally supposed to be for the LHW Belt, then I will be abso-friggin’-lutely surprised.
Sure do hope you keep it up with these articles, man. The verbage was a bit strong, I’ll be honest, but a strong opinion beats not having an opinion at all.
i liked your article a lot! i was a huge rampage fan, but not anymore. looking at the pic of rampage used for your article…it seems so poseury (??)…something has taken away the “warrior” i was so excited to watch fight. he can say whatever he wants. his fighting spirit is gone. maybe it’s age that has withered his passion for fighting.
Talking crap about the sport is not good. He won’t be a big movie star. There’s only so much demand for brawny guys with speaking parts. I’m very disappointed with Rampage.
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