The Quinton (Rampage) Jackson vs. UFC saga continues to dominate the MMA headlines. Problem is, and contrary to what many believe, most of the drama has not been made available for public consumption.
History may be telling us that there is something that is not adding up here. For some unforeseen reason, Rampage wants out of the organization as soon as possible.
Is it financial? Is it due to a lack of respect? We know what the UFC has done for Jackson. What we do not know is what may be happening behind the scenes, and that appears to be the catalyst for Rampage’s reaction.
Let’s take a look:
2007: The acquisition of a champion
Zuffa purchased the WFA partly in order to add Rampage to their growing umbrella.
His first bout was against Marvin Eastman, who at the time wasn’t even in the top 10. Rampage, the heavy favorite, was victorious and was immediately given a title shot vs. Chuck Liddell – his first shot at headlining a pay per view event. After defeating “The Iceman” he was rewarded with a fight against Dan Henderson, a bout Jackson won to unify the UFC and Pride championships. In just over eight months, the mass exposure coupled with Rampage’s skill set saw him go from hardcore fan favourite to undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion of the world.
But what goes up must come down:
2008: Stand by me
He was then selected to coach on The Ultimate Fighter opposite Forrest Griffin, where for 13 weeks millions were able to see the charismatic champion do his thing on international TV.
Two weeks after the season finale at UFC 86, Jackson lost a controversial decision to Griffin and just days later went on his infamous “Rampage.” The public meltdown included a hit and run and high speed police chase in Newport Beach, Calif.
It was reported that Jackson may have been depressed, began fasting and only consumed energy drinks during this spell.
Jackson was next seen at the UFC 87 post-fight press conference, where president Dana White stated the organization would keep their former champion under a watchful eye while doing whatever they could to help him through the crisis and get him back inside the octagon as soon as possible.
His next opponent was Wanderlai Silva at UFC 92.
Although Rampage suffered two brutal (T)KO losses to “The Axe Murderer” in Pride FC the organization still granted him the fight, for it was a score he truly believed he could settle. He may have been the underdog, but Jackson would prove the naysayers wrong by defeating Silva via first round knockout.
His reward was another main event pay per view bout, this time vs. Keith Jardine. Rampage was victorious, which set up another promotional stint for the Memphis native.
And this time he would test the waters and push the boundaries, while drawing a line in the sand.
You can only choose one dream
Jackson once again found himself as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter, alongside fellow top contender (Suga) Rashad Evans. The show also featured Kimbo Slice and was a ratings bonanza for the organization, with Jackson and Evans virtually nose to nose and verbally sparring during every episode.
The organization foreshadowed where the two would square off, granting Rampage his wish of fighting in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn. But unbeknownst to the promotion Jackson could not honour their request, having instead decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing B.A. Baracus in the modern day version of the motion picture The A-Team.
All the hype from the reality show was subsequently lost, as Rampage could not face off against Rashad until UFC 114 in May of 2010, five months after the scheduled date of the original bout. Jackson would go on to lose a fairly lackluster fight via decision.
The organization, knowing that Jackson still had some pay per view drawing power, would then match him against former champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 123, with the winner potentially getting a crack at newly crowned champion Jon (Bones) Jones. Jackson defeated Machida, but many believed he should have lost the decision. He would have to earn another victory before getting a crack at the champ. While not the ideal scenario, the UFC granted him headlining status.
Jackson was given another pay per view main event slot at UFC 130, where he made it clear he was not motivated after a lacklustre showing against Matt Hamill. But he fought, won and was given a title shot vs. Jones at UFC 135, a bout he would lose via submission in the fourth round.
With championship glory all but fading away, the time had come for Jackson to reevaluate his career and to perhaps begin searching for meaningful fights (and pay days) before saying sayonara to his career.
Coming full circle
With the knowledge that the UFC was heading to Japan in February 2012, Rampage immediately began lobbying for a spot on the card, hoping his employer would grant his wish of a rematch with Mauricio Rua in the very country were they first fought, and the site that launched Jackson’s MMA career.
Although Jackson was unaware “Shogun” was already booked for a bout, the UFC still granted him his wish. He was added to the card in Saitama, Japan, and would face off against Ryan Bader in the co-main event. In an absolute stunner, Jackson would not only miss weight by five pounds, he would lose three rounds to none to Bader.
Afterwards, Jackson revealed that he injured his knee training then publicly admitted to using testosterone replacing therapy, which aided him in recovering from the injury and helped him rebound from the grueling, day-to-day training all while doing it in the name of competing for his beloved fans in Japan.
After the bout Jackson went on a “Twitter Rampage,” asking for the organization to release him and explaining how it may be more lucrative for him to take his services elsewhere.
Financially speaking
One can assume that Jackson’s management secured a pay per view percentage bonus for their client. If this is the case and depending on his placement on the card, Rampage could have made extra money on at least seven of his nine bouts with the organization.
This is in and above his agreed upon show/win purse, as well as the five bonuses he won:
– UFC 71 – Salary: $250K; KO of the night bonus: $40K
– UFC 86 – Salary: $225K; Fight of the night bonus: $60K
– UFC 92 – Salary: $325K; KO of the night bonus: $60K
– UFC 96 – Salary: $325K; Fight of the night bonus: $60K
– UFC 135 – Salary: $250K; Fight of the night bonus: $75K
Based on the salary figures above, it appears (on average) that Rampage received around $225,000 per fight and an extra $100,000 if he wins. He has won seven times, lost four and earned five extra bonuses as well.
What we do not know is if he was given any “locker room” bonuses and what his sponsorship revenue has been since joining the UFC five years ago. One can assume the former is far less substantial than the latter.
Adding the values of the figures we do know, it is assumed that Zuffa, at minimum, has paid Jackson $3.47 million. The actual figures are likely much higher, perhaps more than double.
This is solely what Rampage may have made during his UFC career, and that does not take into consideration any revenue he garnered during his time with Pride FC, other MMA organizations as well as his more than 15 acting roles.
Read between the lines
Is self value and self respect at play here? Are they intertwined, or are they combating themselves?
Does Rampage believe he should be paid more than the millions he’s already made? Is his market value similar to someone else in his position?
Everyone believes they should (and could) always get paid more money, but optics are key. Something does not seem to be adding up here.
Based on what we know, it seems the UFC has done more than its fair share of trying to appease Jackson, but he’s obviously not happy.
There must be something else that is at the root of this problem — an obvious hint is the numerous times both Jackson and White have publicly spoken about their on-again, off-again relationship. While not airing most of their dirty laundry, something stinks right now.
My own professional relationship with Jackson has been mainly positive, but at times I’ve never truly known what to expect with him. One moment he is cordial, the next he is not. I’ve often been the brunt of his public jokes, but none have ever phased me. For the most part, Jackson has always been accommodating, and quite frankly, has often gone out of his way to help me.
Over the years, I’ve learned to take every occurrence with him at face value. Genuinely speaking, he is one of the funniest guys in the game, so this issue between him and his employer is baffling. Perhaps the divide that is business and pleasure, the relationship between friend and boss, is one of the many issues between Jackson and the directorship at Zuffa.
Redundancy: Ask and ye shall receive
Earlier this week the UFC granted Rampage what appears to be his last wish. He will now take on “Shogun” later this year, and it will likely be his final bout with the organization.
Unfortunately on Thursday, Rampage stated the rematch has already been postponed as he must undergo double knee surgery.
The saga continues.
Note: three different attempts at contacting Rampage’s management have been met with silence.