Despite Bellator's CEO Scott Coker and his legal team making every effort possible to prevent it from happening, as it turns out, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will meet Fabio Maldonado at this Saturday's UFC 186 which takes place live from the Bell Center in Montreal.
Rampage's return to the octagon was first announced towards the end of 2014, but an opponent had yet to be named until Maldonado had the luck of the draw. All was seemingly set in stone, until Rampage's contractural obligations prompted Scott Coker to take legal action against the UFC to prevent him from competing in the octagon.
Turns out all their efforts were for nothing, as the superior court of New Jersey dismissed Bellator's claim that Rampage's defection would encourage other fighters to "ignore their contract". As a result, Rampage is back on the card and will compete.
After being unhappy with the UFC and a three fight losing streak, Rampage left the UFC in 2013 and immediately signed with Bjorn Rebney and Bellator. Rampage racked up three wins knocking out Joey Beltran and Christian M'Pumbu while also going the distance with King Mo. He was next set to face Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton before he decided against the fight after training with Newton.
But this doesn't mean the war's over! According to MMA-Fighting.com, Erik Magraken a lawyer who maintains combatsportslaw.com said in an email to mmajunkie
As it stands though, with only two days away. Rampage will return to the octagon.
Cited sources: Steven Marrocco (mmafighting.com)
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I can see why Bellator's trying so hard. But as far as getting fighters to ignore their contract seems a little far fetched. It's exactly these reasons why Eddie Alvarez had so much damned time stolen from him.
Geez, Bellator really does fucking suck in all aspects.
Rampage's return to the octagon was first announced towards the end of 2014, but an opponent had yet to be named until Maldonado had the luck of the draw. All was seemingly set in stone, until Rampage's contractural obligations prompted Scott Coker to take legal action against the UFC to prevent him from competing in the octagon.
Turns out all their efforts were for nothing, as the superior court of New Jersey dismissed Bellator's claim that Rampage's defection would encourage other fighters to "ignore their contract". As a result, Rampage is back on the card and will compete.
After being unhappy with the UFC and a three fight losing streak, Rampage left the UFC in 2013 and immediately signed with Bjorn Rebney and Bellator. Rampage racked up three wins knocking out Joey Beltran and Christian M'Pumbu while also going the distance with King Mo. He was next set to face Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton before he decided against the fight after training with Newton.
But this doesn't mean the war's over! According to MMA-Fighting.com, Erik Magraken a lawyer who maintains combatsportslaw.com said in an email to mmajunkie
As it stands though, with only two days away. Rampage will return to the octagon.
Cited sources: Steven Marrocco (mmafighting.com)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can see why Bellator's trying so hard. But as far as getting fighters to ignore their contract seems a little far fetched. It's exactly these reasons why Eddie Alvarez had so much damned time stolen from him.
Geez, Bellator really does fucking suck in all aspects.