Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson has signed a multi-year deal with Bellator MMA, Spike TV and the professional wrestling promotion TNA Wrestling.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Bellator’s CEO and chairman Bjorn Rebney, president of Spike TV Kevin Kay, and TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter.
After losing a unanimous decision to Glover Teixeira on Jan. 26 at UFC on FOX 6 – his third consecutive loss – Jackson parted ways with the UFC, saying he didn’t feel like the organization treated him with enough respect.
“Rampage is a true superstar both inside and outside the MMA cage,” Rebney said in a press release.
“The partnership that we’ve created with Quinton is unlike anything that’s ever been done in the sports and entertainment arena and Rampage is the perfect athlete/entertainer to carry it off.”
Rampage is expected to be a central figure in the way Bellator markets itself and Spike TV will create a special reality series featuring Jackson that will lead into his debut with Bellator.
Welcome to #BellatorMMA, @rampage4real! twitter.com/BellatorMMA/st…
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 4, 2013
Jackson (32-11) had been in the UFC since 2007 after the organization acquired his rights from the now-defunct World Fighting Alliance.
Prior to that, Jackson made a name for himself in Pride Fighting Championships, competing in the Japanese promotion from 2001 to 2006.
Jackson became UFC champ when he knocked out Chuck Liddell at UFC 71. The Memphis, Tenn., native also has wins over the likes of Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva and Lyoto Machida.
“Rampage is one of the best known MMA fighters competing today,” Carter said. “He is a true cross-over star and his talent, big personality and popularity among a wide range of fans make him an extraordinary fit for our company.”
The addition of Jackson gives new life to a Bellator light-heavyweight division that has lacked star power until recently. Rampage will join the likes of Muhammed (King Mo) Lawal, Renato (Babalu) Sobral, Emanuel Newton, Attila Vegh and Vladimir Matyushenko among others at 205-pounds.
The deal also signifies a return to a channel Jackson has a history with. When the UFC used to broadcast its programming on the channel, Jackson coached two seasons of The Ultimate Fighter and headlined UFC 75 on Spike TV.
