MMA Fight Rumors 2016: Rampage Jackson, Bellator Reach Settlement, Agree to New Contract
Mixed martial arts star Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will finally make his long-awaited return to action after reaching a settlement with Bellator on a lawsuit that has been going back and forth for the past year, and this time, he'll be going back to the MMA outfit for a two-fight contract.
The signed contract was part of the settlement the two parties agreed on, but other details weren't provided or disclosed. While there is no official word as to when and who Jackson will fight, reports say that one of those fights will certainly be this year.
To recall, Jackson was last seen in action at UFC 186 in April in a unanimous decision win against Fabio Maldonado. But there was a lot of drama heading into that fight, starting with Bellator, UFC's rival, obtaining a preliminary injunction against the fighter in the Burlington County Superior Court of New Jersey. The injunction had something to do with "Rampage" signing a new contract with Dana White'ss UFC in December of 2014.
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That court order forced the hand of the UFC to replace Jackson on the card just two weeks before the actual fight. Jackson then fired back by convincing the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey to overturn the injunction, thereby giving the fight a go.
After that fight, the 37-year-old ex-light heavyweight champ did not have a choice but to sit it out the rest of the way until a resolution to the lawsuit could be made.
His return to Bellator is a win-win situation for both parties, with Bellator getting a two-fight agreement with one of the most famous MMA fighters today and Jackson reviving his career after considering retirement. If everything goes well with Jackson's two fights in Bellator, it is highly probable he'll have another crack at a UFC title fight, but without the lawsuits this time.
