UFC
Bellator MMA files for injunction against Rampage Jackson to keep him from fighting at UFC 186
Mar 2, 2015 - 10:55:01 AM Bellator MMA files for injunction against Rampage Jackson to keep him from fighting at UFC 186

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Though the UFC and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson believe there was merit to breaking his contract with Bellator MMA, enough to schedule him for a fight at UFC 186 next month, Bellator MMA isn't giving up on having contractual rights over him.

The Viacom-owned promotion announced today that they have filed an injunction against Jackson to stop him from fighting on the UFC 186 card, and to compel him to honor the contract he had with them. Here's the statement they sent to MMATorch on Monday:

"Today, Bellator MMA was compelled to go to court to stop Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson from fighting in an April 25th bout promoted by Bellator's competitor, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Jackson, who has completed only three fights of his exclusive six-fight contract with Bellator, is barred by contract from fighting for any promoter other than Bellator. Our lawsuit for an injunction and related relief - filed in the Chancery Division of the Superior Court in Burlington County, New Jersey - will compel Jackson to honor his contractual agreement. We look forward to having one of our MMA stars fighting for Bellator again."

Penick's Analysis: This was always going to be the next step, and Jackson and his attorneys will need to address this and try to get the injunction thrown out prior to next month's event. If they can't, they'll have to get this to court, and it could drag out for a considerable amount of time, as we saw in the case of Eddie Alvarez. Jackson's lawyers thought they were in the right in breaking the contract based on their reading of the terms they had in place, and the UFC was confident enough in that to sign him, so there's a chance they can make that argument successfully to keep him on next month's card, but this could be a successful ploy by Bellator as well that could force Jackson into a court battle with them.