Rampage: ‘Better the devil you know’

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson moved to Bellator in June of 2013 following a loss to Glover Teixeira, and a sometimes contentious relationship with the promotion. Rampage’s criticism continued, particularly of fighter pay, and last month UFC president Dana White responded.

If you’re going to go out and you want to say all this stuff about the UFC, we know what we are, we know what we do, we know what you’ve been paid, said White. OK, you made $15.2 but you wanted $100. It’s always going to be the case.

The 15 million dollars was made across 12 fights, during which Jackson went 7-5.

In an interview with FightHub.tv, Jackson discounted the UFC figures as “propaganda.”

“The UFC put out a big number that I made over the years, and honestly I don’t believe that it’s true,” said Rampage. “They lie about a lot of stuff. After you pay your taxes, coaches, your manager their percentage, you don’t walk away with the number that they say that they pay you. It’s just propaganda.”

Although new Bellator president Scott Coker has earned widespread accolades both from fighters and from fans, that does not appear to extend to Jackson.

When Coker assumed the reins, Rampage, now 36, talked about retiring.

“The first time Chuck and I fought was in Japan,” he posted. “PRIDE reps asked me to give him a good beating even though I had two fights that night. I lost my second fight that night cause I did what they asked, and they stood up the fight with Wanderlei too soon, in my opinion. MMA hasn’t had my back the way I had its back. Time for me to think about retirement. Or fighting for myself.”

That message earned a quick retort from King Mo.

“Sso now u feel some typa way cuz your dick rider got fired and now u wanna retire!!!?” tweeted Lawal.

Now it appears that Jackson may be having second thoughts about leaving the UFC.

Quinton Jackson @Rampage4real

•It’s been 15 years since I started my career,I’ve had some crazy fights,ups and downs,wins and losses,and some painful injuries.. Love this sport that changed my life,love all the fans that supported me over the years! Thanks.. You guys make all the other BS worth it. A lot of people keep asking when is my next fight,I’ll always keep it real with y’all. I’m going threw the fight that y’all never see. The fight with the promoters or the promotion. But don’t trip no matter what I’m not done yet. Still plan on boxing b4 I lay the gloves down. Sorry I can’t give another 15 years to this sport but I hope to still entertain y’all some how. #respect #memphisfighter

•Just a thought.. But I’ve learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc

So what do you think UG, philosophically speaking, better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know?