UFC
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson: Strained relationship with the UFC "my fault"
Mar 21, 2012 - 11:45:16 PM Quinton "Rampage" Jackson: Strained relationship with the UFC "my fault"

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"To be honest, my manager told me I need to learn to keep my mouth shut. He actually told me that this morning. I can say this... it all boils down to this: The UFC is promoting the UFC. They're looking out for themselves. I feel like they promote their brand more than they promote the fighters.

I feel them on that because anything that happens to a fighter -- and [a fighter] can just be gone, get hurt -- and they put all this money into promoting this fighter, then they ain't got no product no more. I understand that. I just want the UFC to understand that I have to promote my own brand...

I know I messed up the relationship by doing the movie over fighting Rashad Evans. It was my fault. I've got to keep it real. I did that. I messed up. I should have honored my contract and fought Rashad after 'The Ultimate Fighter.' ... Before that Dana and I was really cool. I was really cool with the UFC, Lorenzo [Fertitta] and everybody. We were all cool, but I messed up the relationship by doing the movie and I'm aware of that."

-Quinton "Rampage" Jackson talks to Sherdog.com about the UFC's promoting philosophy and what strained his relationship with the organization.

Penick's Analysis: At least he understands that part of this whole situation is on him, but regardless, his UFC career is going to come to a less than ceremonious conclusion when and if he returns. His final fight won't be a main event, and though he's feeling "disrespected" by the UFC's reaction to his poor performance at UFC 144, he has no one to blame but himself for going through with fights when he's severely hampered by injuries. And regardless of the reasons or excuses for it, he came in way overweight and should have expected a negative response because of that, let alone everything else that's happened since.

[Quinton "Rampage" Jackson art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]