Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Reactions to Rampage Jackson's announced return to the UFC
Dec 24, 2014 - 3:25:41 PM ROUNDTABLE: Reactions to Rampage Jackson's announced return to the UFC

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What's your reaction to Rampage Jackson returning to the UFC after the way he left in 2013 and his stint in Bellator?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

First thought? Meh.

Second Thought? The UFC's two most recent "Major Announcements" have been CM Punk and Rampage Jackson. This is less of a major announcement than thinking the delivery man has delivered you the deed to a bowling alley in a five foot long wooden shipping crate that is filled with straw. Clearly the UFC is trying to curry favor with the 36 to 55 year old male demographic signing these two codgers.

Third Thought? Seems like the UFC wants to convince someone (say a judge maybe...) they'd go out and lose a lawsuit to a competitor over the rights of a fighter they "want" to sign, so as to show the world ( I mean a judge) that there are no monopsonies, monopolies, mononucleosis, monophones, or monorails in UFC-Land.

Fourth Thought? Meh.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Honestly, my first reaction was "meh." It's not really a big deal, as Rampage is past the stage of his career where he'll fight for a title. The more I thought about it, though, it makes pretty good sense for the UFC to do this as long as they didn't overpay. For one, Rampage still has some name value. Taking that away from Bellator hurts them a bit, as well as gives the UFC a bit of a boost. Signing Rampage gives the UFC another name fighter they can throw on TV events as a co-main event or something and try to bring more eyeballs in. As long as they don't book him against someone who will make him look bad, it's a decent signing. If either side has delusions of Rampage beating top guys or competing for a title then this was a mistake. It's possible that could happen, but it's highly unlikely.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Well with Rampage I do my best not to hate; I was such a big fan of his that I named my pit after him. However, I really hope he took a huge pay cut for the way he left and spoke about the company that treated him really well despite his constant complaining. I'm glad to see he will hopefully end his career in the UFC, but I don't know what kind of an impact he will have at this point. I couldn't even give you a logical matchup for him because he hasn't won a meaningful bout in years. Rampage is a legend of the sport in most ways, but his attitude needs to stay in check this time around or he's going to talk himself off of the mountain. Despite the negative I'll be happy to see him work as a gatekeeper for a division that needs one not named Ryan Bader.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Honestly, I couldn't care less. That's it. He's a name so I understand why they did it, but meh.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

From a fans point of view, this signing smacks of desperation from the UFC. What has Rampage got to offer within the light heavyweight division? Honestly, I can't see anything.

Let's look at his last ten fights:

Keith Jardine - Won, though Jardine then went on to only win two of his next nine fights.

Rasad Evans - Loss

Lyoto Machida - Controversial UD win.

Matt Hamill - UD Win.

Jon Jones - Loss

Ryan Bader - Lost and missed weight.

Glover Teixeira - Another one sided loss.

--Rampage leaves the UFC amidst a black cloud, looking for that greener grass (you're getting the picture by now). Signs a multi-fight deal with Bellator.

Joey Beltran - Win - Remember him? Beltran had lost seven of his previous nine fights before facing Rampage, and he hadn't won in three fights prior to when they fought.

Christian M'Pumbu - Win - M'Pumbu had lost his previous two fights.

Muhammed Lawal - Win

--Decides the grass isn't greener and terminates his contract with Bellator.

I can only assume this signing is for ratings, it can't be for anything else. Looking at the top 10 ranked light heavyweights in the division, I'm not so sure Rampage could beat any of them. I'd be more excited to see Randy Couture to return to the UFC than him, and he'd probably be more competitive as well.

This whole situation is about to get very messy indeed!


ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

Rampage left and kept up appearances while gone. He was on a three fight losing streak, and his departure served as a glorified "go get some wins and comeback to the UFC" type of stint. He beat King Mo in Bellator, and there really was not another strong challenge besides Tito Ortiz, and many would argue that is not a competitive fight to put together based on both fighters' age and style. This will be good for both of them. I am sure Rampage will be ranked and will get some Reebok money, and the UFC has one of their celebrities back.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

It was a surprise for a number of reasons, not least the way of which was the way he left the UFC last time out. His run in Bellator was mildly successful in the fact he drew eyes as a recognisable talent. There wasn't a lot for him in terms of competitive match-ups, but at this stage of his career, that's not necessarily a bad thing. He's coming back to a distinctly average light-heavyweight division that is devoid of real talent and entertaining fights.

Rafael Cavalcante, Fabio Maldonado, and Patrick Cummins are all in the top 15, and that tells me all I need to know about the state of the division. He should easily slide back into the top 10, and while he's no threat to the top 7 or 8, he's a got a good fight or two left in him. I'd like to see him fight Jimi Manuwa in his first fight back, that would be entertaining, and one that could go either way.