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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is heading back to Bellator.
After a one-fight return to the UFC, Jackson's legal battle with Bellator MMA is bringing him back to Spike TV, as the organization announced via press release on Tuesday that they've reached an agreement with the longtime light heavyweight vet.
"Following an amicable agreement to settle the litigation between the two parties, the always entertaining and exciting Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson is returning to Bellator," their statement read.
"Bellator MMA is thrilled to have 'Rampage,' one of the most recognizable fighters in the history of the sport, joining a very competitive light heavyweight division featuring champion Liam McGeary, Phil Davis, King Mo, Tito Ortiz, Emanuel Newton, Linton Vassell among others."
Rampage believed Bellator had breached his former contract back in 2014, and he signed with the UFC to return last spring. Bellator initially succeeded in getting an injunction to stop him from fighting, but it was overturned, allowing him to face Fabio Maldonado at UFC 186. He won that fight, but the UFC wouldn't book him again until the Bellator deal was resolved. Now he's heading back to Bellator, with MMAFighting.com reporting the new agreement is for two-fights.
Penick's Analysis: This is an interesting development, to say the least. Given the things Jackson had to say about the organization last year, it's extremely surprising that he's going back, but coming to terms to get through two fights will allow him to move on past the litigation. This opens up numerous options for Bellator, of course, especially with Wanderlei Silva out as a potential free agent, and Bellator looking at Fedor Emelianenko. If they wanted to go with something significant, Jackson vs. Emelianenko could be much bigger than anything they've done yet.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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