Quinton (Rampage) Jackson’s time in the Octagon is nearing an end.
In a series of recent tweets, the former UFC light-heavyweight champion suggested his next fight in the UFC will be his last.
“I feel sorry for my next opponent, no matter who or what it is,” Jackson tweeted Tuesday. “I will fight whoever they put in front of me — I always have — but it will be my last fight in the UFC. I have other things on my mind.”
The 33-year-old has admitted he doesn’t want to fight past the age of 35 and plans on having a busy career once his fighting career is done. In 2010 Jackson starred in the hit action film The A-Team, playing the role of B.A. Baracus that was made famous by Mr. T.
Jackson clarified that when he’s done fighting in the UFC it doesn’t necessarily mean his MMA career will end. He also took a shot at how much the UFC pays its fighters.
“I didn’t say I would be done fighting, I just said I’m not fighting 4 the UFC, (u fight cheap) I said I have other things on my mind (big head)” Jackson tweeted.
At UFC 144 in February, Jackson missed weight by six pounds and lost a one-sided decision to Ryan Bader. Afterwards he blamed his performance and failed weight cut on a knee injury he suffered in training camp while wrestling.
The next week, in an interview with Fighters Only magazine, Jackson revealed he used testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) at the suggestion of UFC-employed doctors prior to the Bader fight. This surprised many people as TRT has been at the centre of some recent UFC controversy with it landing fighters like Chael Sonnen and Nate Marquardt in trouble.
Sonnen failed to properly alert authorities about his use of TRT and was suspended, while Marquardt’s testosterone levels were too high prior to a fight in June and he was subsequently released from the UFC.
This latest incident isn’t the first time Jackson’s actions have been peculiar after a big loss. In July 2008, days after losing his championship belt to Forrest Griffin at UFC 87, he was arrested for reckless driving and faced with felony hit-and-run charges after smashing into several cars with his truck. It was later revealed that Jackson had become delirious due to dehydration and not sleeping for four days.
Jackson reached out to his fans Tuesday for some moral support.
“I need help with positive energy once again, u can tell things aint right” Jackson tweeted. “I love u all, wish I could say what’s up.”
The UFC has yet to comment on Jackson’s latest tweets.
