When Quinton "Rampage" Jackson signed with Bellator in 2013, it was huge news. Sure, Rampage was on an 0-3 skid in the UFC and looked like he had lost his will to fight, coming in overweight and laying a goose egg in his beloved second home of Japan, and complaining about everything from money to having to face wrestlers who wouldn't stand and trade punches with him (this from a guy who relied on solid wrestling early in his career), but he was still a big name that drew eyeballs. A guy who could headline fight cards. So his defection to Bellator was huge, and huge for Bellator MMA. It also gave his career in the cage a boost: upon joining Bellator, Jackson quickly piled up three wins, knocking out Joey Beltran and former Bellator light heavyweight champion Christian M'Pumbu before winning a close decision over King Mo Lawal in the main event of Bellator's first and only Pay-per-View to date back in May. It looked like Jackson was a lock to win Bellator's light heavyweight championship - but he refused to fight current champ Emanuel Newton, a training partner of his. Then talk wound up being about what sort of marquee fights Bellator had for Rampage. Tito Ortiz? Houston Alexander? Stephan Bonnar? Over the past few months, however, Jackson seemed unhappy again. It all began when former Bellator CEO and founder Bjorn Rebney was cut from the promotion by Viacom, owners of Bellator MMA. Rebney had been Jackson's guy, and Jackson didn't like where the new Bellator was headed. Sure, Scott Coker is a fighter's promoter, but Jackson has never had a relationship with him, and he didn't seem to figure too largely into Bellator 2.0's plans. On Twitter, Jackson made comments about the UFC being the devil he knew, and the preferable choice between the two. Then something happened earlier this week: Jackson said he was looking forward to training again. The rumour mill began churning. And where there's smoke in the MMA world, there's fire. Reports have Jackson re-signing with the UFC Saturday, something that if true, would be another big coup for the UFC on the heels of the CM Punk signing. With name value in the UFC at an all time low, the company needs as many familiar faces as possible. Additionally, signing Rampage - and keeping him happy, no small task - may keep his name away from the previously announced class action lawsuit over fighter pay and other issues, which currently has Jon Fitch, Cung Le, and Nate Quarry behind it. If the signing pans out - and the rumour is strong enough that almost every major MMA news outlet is reporting it - it means Bellator is likely releasing Jackson from his contract with them. That's not unheard of, as Scott Coker did the same with Eddie Alvarez earlier this year. Does Jackson have enough gas in the tank to succeed in another UFC run? Who would he be paired up against? Add your thoughts below!
Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.
