It’s been almost a week now since Bellator 175 from Chicago took place giving stage to what may have been MMA legend, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s last fight in MMA. And as he called out for the rematch to his fight with King Mo Lawal that he won three years ago, his Bellator contract is now up and his future in Bellator and in MMA overall is up in the air. “I know this is our last fight with Rampage,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “I don’t know what his status is over there (UFC),” explained Coker. “I’ve heard rumors that he has a few fights left over there.”
But in front of a sold out pro-Rampage crowd in Chicago, Jackson won over the fans but was unable to win over the judges as he lost in a unanimous decision, opposite of the first time he and King Mo fought three years ago where he won. “I’m happy with my performance but I wish I would have gotten the W,” said Rampage. “King Mo surprised me with his stand up. I was shocked and I can honestly say I was proud of him for how he fought with his stand up.”
So what does the future hold for Rampage? A trilogy fight with King Mo seems unlikely as if the rumors are true, Rampage would probably finish his career in the UFC if in fact he does have fights left on his contract with the organization. And what about doing what some fighters as of late have done and start a career as a pro-wrestler? Rampage seems to be slightly on board with that thought. “Even before I knew anything about MMA, I wanted to be a pro wrestler,” said Rampage. “I’m a wrestler at heart. I think I was made to be a pro wrestler.”
Whatever Jackson chooses to do for the rest of the year and beyond, he will always have his core fans behind him. From his Pride days to UFC and now Bellator, fans and media alike have been given the pleasure of witnessing one of MMA’s most outspoken and dominant characters in the sport for almost two decades. And if the sold out crowd in Chicago last week was any indication of if Rampage is still relevant in today’s MMA scene, I would say he is just fine. “I take it one day at a time,” said Rampage. “But I still want to knock King Mo’s ass out.”
Photo credit: Nicholas Cunningham
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