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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
"Give me Forrest, why they won't give me Forrest? The fans think we get to choose who we fight. I'm calling my manager right now. I told Dana I would fight Forrest and Glover the same night. [Forrest Griffin vs. Phil Davis] is gonna be a boring fight! No disrespect to anybody but that's gonna be a boring fight. I'm sorry. This is why I'm leaving the UFC, I don't understand what Joe Silva is doing. You know what I'm saying? Joe Silva have a complex, something's wrong with him, the guy can't match shoes. What kind of matchmaker is this guy? What is he thinking? Give me Forrest! Everybody want that, that will sell, everybody want to see me and Forrest again. Everyone wants to see that but Forrest. Forrest don't want to fight me again because Forrest knows I beat him the first time. He know it, the whole world know it. The only people that think Forrest beat me are haters."
-Rampage Jackson talks to Bas Rutten on AXS TV's Inside MMA regarding his frustration with UFC matchmaker Joe Silva and wanting to fight Forrest Griffin once more (transcribed by MMAMania.com).
Penick's Analysis: If you were still surprised that there's tension between Rampage and the UFC, this is a very clear example of the issues between the two sides. Jackson in one breath wants favors from the UFC, then bashes them in the next. With one fight left on his contract, the UFC isn't going to give him a favorable matchup, and they aren't inclined to give him what he wants either. There's nothing in it for the UFC if they book Rampage vs. Forrest II. If he defeats Griffin and walks away it only benefits him. At least with the Phil Davis fight a win for Davis boosts him up the rankings for the UFC. There's something to gain for the organization, and nothing to gain for them with Rampage at this stage.
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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