Talk over the past few days suggests that Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson could yet return to the UFC after apparently becoming unhappy with life with Bellator.
Bellator had a big event on this past weekend that peaked with 2 million viewers on Spike TV, but while the promotion seems to be on the up at the moment thanks at least in part to former Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker taking the reigns, ‘Rampage’ is having second thoughts about his decision to join them.
“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,” Rampage wrote on Twitter.
‘Rampage’ left the UFC in January of last year after his contract ended following a three-fight losing streak, claiming that he had been unfairly treated by the promotion.
He moved on to Bellator and struck up a rapport with the promotions founder Bjorn Rebney while piecing together a three-fight winning streak that culminated with winning their latest heavyweight tournament by defeating Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal.
‘Rampage’ became unsettled when Rebney was removed in the summer and replaced with Coker however and now seems to be pining for a return to the UFC.
Would the UFC be interested in welcoming back the 36 year-old ‘Rampage’ though after he turned his back on them?
Well, a comment from Dana White during an interview with Michael Landsberg on the ‘Off The Record’ show yesterday suggests that maybe they would.
“I like him,” White said on Monday. “‘Rampage’ and I have a very unique relationship. All the stuff that goes on publicly, behind the scenes, we square it away. He’s a good dude.”
‘Rampage’s’ days of fighting for titles in the Octagon are more than likely over, but with Bellator proving this past weekend that other aging ex-UFC stars like Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar can still draw a crowd, perhaps the UFC will be tempted to welcome him back into the fold.
