Rumor: Rampage Jackson Returns to The Ultimate Fighter This Fall

by Michael Rome on May 13, 2009 4:12 PM EDT in News Comment 72 comments

It looks like Rampage Jackson is returning for a second stint as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter. A teammate of his confirms he will be on the show over at MMA Fighting:

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will return to coaching on the tenth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," says training partner and friend Tiki Ghosn.

Ghosn said on Monday that he recently learned that he will join Team Rampage on the upcoming season of the UFC-Spike TV reality television show in a phone interview with TapouT Radio.

"I'm doing the next 'Ultimate Fighter,'" Ghosn said. "I'm going to be the striking coach for Team Rampage."

Rampage will coach against the winner of the Evans/Machida main event at UFC 98, and will then challenge for the title in December. From the UFC's perspective, a Rashad/Rampage season would be ideal, but if Machida wins he needs all the help he can get from a marketing perspective, and a season on TUF would help.

At the same time, I am disappointed with this news. It's yet another very long layoff for Jackson, and will leave the UFC scrambling for main events in the fall just because they need to satisfy ratings needs on Spike.

It doesn't take a genius to look a few months in advance and see they will have no big main events in September and October.

0 recs | Comment 72 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Booooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on May 13, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is at the holding up of a title fight for TUF, not at Rampage.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on May 13, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This stops rampage from fighting for the title too because I’m pretty sure Rashad would have fought more than twice this whole year. If Rampage doesnt so this, I bet he would fight towards the end of the summer against Rashad.

by johnnychimpo on May 13, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully Tiki is talking out of his ass.

by steveoc24 on May 13, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As much as Dana White talks about giving the fans what they want, he sure puts a lot of good fights on hold.

by AnonymousA on May 13, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have never heard him say that he gives fan what they want when they want it.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on May 13, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as the LHW title gets defended again before the end of the year, I’m ok with it.

by subo on May 13, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rampage was & I guess still is hurt.

For me, I would rather not see Rampage back in the cage until he is completely healthy anyway. Would I like to see him earlier? Of course, but not at the cost of seeing him fighting tethered with injuries.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on May 14, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t understand why Rampage would do this after bitching about having too long of a layoff after his loss to Griffin.

Rampage vs. Machida/Evans will be a great fight. But no reason to put it on hold till December.

by steveoc24 on May 13, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on May 13, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I posted this in the Fan Post, but am reposting this here:

I don’t how I feel about this. Personally, I thought Jackson was a fairly poor coach, with Juanito appearing to be the real brains of the Tean Jackson. If so, then we will likely see the same folks Bisping has assisting him.

I wonder if Greg Jackson would act an assistant coach for Rashad? Would he be willing to take that much time away from training other guys? Especially when both Jardine and GSP have bouts coming up later in the summer. The idea of getting to watch Greg and see how he works certaining is intriguing.

This would also provide Rashad with an oppontunity to establish himself as a top star. He would be coming off three wins over top guys and this would give him enough camera time to increase his drawing power.

The prospect of having the belt on the shelf for another seven months is also frustrating, but I hope the UFC lines up some bouts to create clear cut contenders.

by Lynchman on May 13, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am not sure about Jackson’s skills as a coach (rampage that is), but I think the idea is that the interaction with the other coach will draw viewers. I think they are really looking for it to be Rampage/Rashad and not Rampage/Lyoto.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on May 13, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you are correct.

But should Machida win, he will almost certainly be a mainstay at the top of the UFC ppvs for a while and will need to get over with fans. This would provide him an excellent opportunity to do so.

by Lynchman on May 13, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could you imagine Machida as a coach? I’m sure he would be a great coach, but tv personality wise he will be a dud.

Damn right they are hoping Rampage/Evans will be next seasons coaches. They will hype up black on black crime for the next 6 months.

by steveoc24 on May 13, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We don’t really know how Machida will come across since we have seen little of him on the mic.

by Lynchman on May 13, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He seems like the type to not take any shit, so it would probably be interesting. I mean he can’t be any worse than Decision Dan.

by Deo Wade on May 13, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This kind of makes me root more for Lyoto, just to muck up the plans a little. Yes, I am that kind of guy, lol!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on May 13, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I think I’ll root for Machida to foil the Matchmaking plans!

all you gotta do is...

by imapimp08 on May 13, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can see Lyoto now:

- “Why are you getting hit???”

- “Stop getting hit!”

- “Don’t let him hit you!”

by bigweeze on May 13, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“Your not actually suppose to fight”

“Run bitch run!”

by steveoc24 on May 13, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can you imagine his fighters trying to figure out how to move like Machida?

by Lynchman on May 13, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, he doesn’t do anything that crazy with regards to footwork. He’s just really disciplined.

http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on May 14, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“The next time he throws that combination, counter with a flying knee to the abs and a straight left before he can react”

by Dooda on May 14, 2009 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally, I thought Jackson was a fairly poor coach, with Juanito appearing to be the real brains of the Tean Jackson.

It`s a sad sad day when Juanito is considered to be the brains of any kind of operation.

"They called him the axe-murderer because he was murdering chumps. They should have been calling him the chump-murderer..." Rampage Jackson (commentating on the fighting abilities of Wanderlei "F#ck Chuck" Silva.)

by BlueberryMuffin on May 13, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is completely idiotic. It puts the LHW division’s title, the UFC’s deepest division by far, on hold for over half a year, gives Rampage a huge layoff after a quick victory (which he has complained about in the past), and bores us with another season of Rampage “coaching” a TUF team. In the long run, this will probably increase the buy rate for the Rampage v. Whoever PPV, but if they have someone else coach the next season of TUF they could hold 2 LHW title fights in the same time span, which would increase the respective PPV cards buy rates anyway. Aaaargh!

by Fatal Error on May 13, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

After a quick victory? His last fight went 15 minutes.

by ufc4 on May 13, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve never really had a problem with TUF. All the antics in the house don’t really bother me. But two years in a row putting the title fight on hold in the stacked LHW division is starting to piss me off.

by steveoc24 on May 13, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Completely Agree!

by JAYGK95 on May 13, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone needs to pray that Rashad wins. Can you imagine Machida encouraging all his team to drink urine every morning? Thats the last thing we need. Pee drinking in the house again damnit!

Lyoto:
“Urine, make you fast”

“Urine, make you strong like bull”

“Urine, make you WINN!”

Team:
“WTF?!!” O_o

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on May 13, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No.

Team:

“GULP GULP GULP”

“Me strong nao two?”

The Bird is the Word.

by IHateMMA on May 13, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want Machida to win just to see that.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on May 13, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is all an enginius plan by the UFC

to make all other LHWs watch Machida’s teachings on TUF so they’ll wise up to him.

Kuwabara Kuwabara

by J. B. Maddox on May 13, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kalib will watch to improve his technique.

The Bird is the Word.

by IHateMMA on May 13, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How long does this news actually delay the next LHW title fight?

Rashad/Machida wouldn’t have fought Rampage until Sept. or Oct. If TUF postpones it until December, it’s a bit of a downer, but not a huge delay.

Agree with those who would much, much prefer to see Rashad/Rampage as coaches.

by Hardcharger on May 13, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Right, it’s only a 3 month delay. It’s still long though when you look ahead and try to think of what main event we’ll actually get in September and October.

by Michael Rome on May 13, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hear the sounds of dana backpedaling on chuck’s retirement as i type this.

by woooburn on May 13, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its an eternity

For Rampage Fans who can’t wait to see him fight again!

I’m also wondering if Rampage maybe learned from his first run on TUF how the media can help and HURT him.

all you gotta do is...

by imapimp08 on May 13, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just wouldn’t mind seeing Rampage fight three times this year if he’s healthy instead of two.

by steveoc24 on May 13, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think this is something to bitch about, to be honest.

Rashad/Machida will be on the show, both deserve coaching positions and some limelight. It’ll provide ground for Rampage and Rashad to develop a hyped rivalry, and it’ll give Machida a chance to shine his personality to the fans along with his very underrated version of “smack” talk.

The title won’t be fought until later in the year anyways, not that big of a deal. Who else is truly in line for the LHW title.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 13, 2009 5:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Rashad were to win, then it would make sense to give Anderson Silva shot assuming he beats Forrest. He has dominated his weight class (Okami will be out for a while with his recent knee injury). Franklin is going up in weight because he knows he can’t get the title at 185 until Anderson is out of the picture. Making short work of Irvin, Hendo (who also fights at 205), and beating Forrest would make him title shot worthy in my book. Plus it would give Anderson a challenge, and we all know that is what he needs to get motivated. Not to mention the fact that I think he can take Rashad.

If Machida wins this likely won’t happen due to the fact that they are close friends.

Silva holding two titles would tie up the belts and further irritate fans though. I want to see Anderson vs Nate II soon (I don’t think Demian Maia can take Nate or Anderson).

by MMAcGyver on May 13, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rampage has been the 2nd worst coach on the show, trailing behind Ken Shamrock.

When Nog was coaching and Lyoto was there with him, he was not “shown” on the show – only Anderson – why is that? No personality? Language barrier?

I’d rather see Rashad coach against Rampage b/c I think Rashad would be a better coach, and Rashad’s team would devastate Rampages team (like Forrest’s).

Then we could finally be treated to Rashad cleaning the cage with Rampage.

"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

by lovingmma25 on May 13, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Since when does anyone believe the coaches are there to coach? They show up for a little each day and leave it to their assistants.

by Michael Rome on May 13, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

This reminds me

I really like Bisping as a coach, other than missing his fighters fight, he seems like he is truely invested in his team and wants to see them succeed, where as Henderson looks more like your portraying and leaving it to his assistants!

Sad, because the USA team makes it hard to root for them.

all you gotta do is...

by imapimp08 on May 13, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"When Nog was coaching and Lyoto was there with him, he was not "shown" on the show – only Anderson – why is that? No personality? Language barrier?"

From what I have heard from Machida, his English is much better than Silva’s. I have never had a problem understanding anything Lyoto said. And they did show Machida on the show, in the background only though.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on May 14, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

rashad and rampage will be the most entertaining season yet. its about time two black stars fight for a title in the ufc….machida might spoil it all though.

"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye

by Pitbull on May 13, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

TUF coach

Rampage is recovering from jaw surgey so it shouldn’t be a big deal for him. but I am a little mad that they are considering whomever the Lhwt champ is when taping begins,becomes the other coach.I would prefer it if the other coach isn’t the champ.

by TheLevi on May 13, 2009 5:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Although it bugs me waiting around for another title shot, it makes sense: Machida needs the promotion and Rampage/Evans could be massive with a whole season of TUF behind it.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on May 13, 2009 6:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No title fights?

You have 2 title fights in July that will make them available for sept/october cards. Silva fights in early August as does BJ who could prob make an October card, Silva’s done it before. Hendo/Bisping and the Marquardt/Maia fight will put up two contenders for 185. Who knows, maybe siilva will drop the belt and those guys will fall in. And if you complain about that then your’re complaining about there being no stars in general.

by Syd O on May 13, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Think about this. These guys almost never fight in 3 months turnaround. BJ required 6-7 months this time, the idea he’s fighting again 2 months later is silly. There’s no title fight in September, probably not one in October either. Maybe they start again in November. They routinely stack cards with multiple title shots and then scramble to find crappy main events even though it was forseeable.

by Michael Rome on May 13, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sept/Oct cards will be fine

Rome, I went into this over at Fightlinker but I’ll say it again here.

The winner of the 99 main event could easily headline the September card. Franklin v. Shogun or Wand v. Hendo II, regardless of whether or not Hendo beats Bisping. Toss Kongo v. Velasquez/Herring on there as a co-main event for some added support and we’re fine. October you do Carwin v. Lesnar/Mir. November is lightweight title.

As to the argument that these guys don’t do 2-3 month turn-arounds, that’s because their usually isn’t room so they space them out. That doesn’t mean these guyscan’t do it — they’re just usually not asked to. 10 – 12 weeks between fights is just enough time if a guy doesn’t suffer any injuries. There’s no good reason the schedule I mentioned — or something like it — can’t happen.

by dropkick101 on May 13, 2009 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Plenty of fighters want 12 weeks to train for a bout. Personally, I think four months is sound. That gives a fighter a month of downtime prior to training.

Jackson will begin training for the fight back at his UK camp, the Wolfslair MMA Academy, in October to ensure that he has a thorough three months to prepare, making sure he goes into the fight at 100%.

That is a comment from the first site (MMABay) to report this. It has Page wanting three months to train.

by Lynchman on May 13, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your points aren’t very convincing. Those are still not good main events, they are European B-show level events. And Lesnar is going to fight the Couture/Nog winner in November or January, Carwin isn’t getting a shot. Wand asks for 5 months between fights, counting on guys to rebound in a couple months is silly.

And yea, good luck getting BJ to turn around in 3 months. The point is they create a situation where if their desparation ploy doesnt work, they are fucked. Look what happened to UFC 96. Their desperation play was Rashad vs. Rampage. But then Rashad wouldnt fight on short notice. So we got a shit main event. They routinely do this to themselves and we’re all shocked when it doesn’t work out. The fall will likely be very weak now while December and January will be stacked again.

by Michael Rome on May 14, 2009 4:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Forrest/Ando and Rampage v. Winner would have been 2 extra main events for the fall.

The UFC sets expectations a little too high sometimes.

by bigweeze on May 14, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

By also doing that, it killed a potential money making fight Rashad-Rampage.

by The Bronzeville Bully on May 14, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Normally I would be annoyed...

… but in this case, I don’t have too much of a problem with it. I don’t like TUF delaying belts, but in this case, I don’t think it would hurt too much. Machida could definitely use the exposure of TUF, but a Rashad / Rampage TUF would be the best ever. So yeah, no complaints.

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on May 13, 2009 7:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tiki as the striking coach… wut?

by gumbaroo on May 13, 2009 9:33 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Thank you!

If Tiki is qualified to be a striking coach, I’m applying as the grappling coach.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on May 14, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is the prime of their fighting careers, its a shame they have to put it on hold for a reality show.

by xDieseLx on May 13, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

True, but this also allows them to make a hell of a lot more money than they otherwise would.
If TUF brings 100k more buys, that is a couple hundred thousand more.

by Lynchman on May 13, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope the next entry about TUF is that the UFC is finally cancelling the show. It’s such a waste. Rampage said after his fight with Forrest that he’d never wait that long to fight again. Hopefully he was being truthful.

by Dooda on May 14, 2009 1:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You may not like it, but it is hardly a waste for them. It generally boosts ppv buys, which means more money for the two headliners.

TUF has actually shown a little bit of growth in the last couple of seasons and likely will be around for a while.

by Lynchman on May 14, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I get annoyed with the antics at the house but the fact is, TUF saved the company.

They can run TUF as long as they like.

by jebushchrist on May 14, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

TUF keeps eyeballs on the UFC and eventually entices people to buy PPVs. It’s not worthless.

by bigweeze on May 14, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

waste of my time. Not waste for the UFC. I’m aware of why they keep running it, and why they want Rampage on it again. My mistake for being a little unclear.

by Dooda on May 14, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So this will be, what, the third time ...

… the LHW title, probably the most exciting weight class in the biggest promotion in the sport, has been put on ice for 6-10 months for a stupid reality show nobody watches anymore.

Not especially cool.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on May 14, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Again, that stupid reality show still has around 1.5 million viewers per week and is doing better today than it was a few seasons back.

by Lynchman on May 14, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It might be "doing better" in the ratings.

In terms of quality of fighters, it continues to be an abyss. Who was the last decent, somewhat well-rounded fighter to come off that show? Danzig?

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on May 14, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tommy Speer.

Wait, you said well rounded.

by Dooda on May 14, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kendall Grove doesn’t suck as much as everyone says.

by subo on May 14, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, Matt Brown, Tim Credur, Matt Riddle and CB hav done well since TUF 7. Ben Saunders, Mac Danzig and George Sotiropoulos all came from six.
It is too early to gauge the guys from eight, but Kristof, Bader, Marshall, Escudero and Nover show promise.

TUF five has eight guys (including Lauzon, Emerson, Miller and Diaz) in the UFC.

You can argue that some are not as well rounded, but all have had success and are holding
their own in the UFC.

But, you did not say it was an abyss, you said that nobody watches it anymore. I was simply pointing that that is not the case.

But, as far as fighters go, it still produces some quality guys. One thing to to remember is that the guys from the early shows have had a few years to develop into upper end guys. A year from now, Emerson, Saunders, Miller and others all may be be at that same level.

Or some may settle into mid card like Leben…good enough to beat most everyone on the smaller shows, but not good enough to be a top tier guy in the UFC.

by Lynchman on May 14, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, the one below should have gone here.

My bad.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on May 15, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matt Brown, Tim Credeur, and Matt Riddle are your counterpoints to my contention that no well-rounded fighters have recently come off the show?

I win.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on May 15, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs