Dana White has been doing a video blog in the days leading up to UFC 87 and this is the third installment of that series. Parts one and two can be found here. It’s interesting to note that Rampage is with Dana at around the 3:30 mark and seems to be in very good spirits, even joking about his “delirium.” He says he’s back to training, has new trainers, and is preparing to get back into the Octagon. Perhaps things aren’t as bad as we previously thought? Also, does anyone find it extremely ironic that Dana White is blogging, even if it is in video form?
MMA Junkie was able to speak with Juanito Ibarra regarding Rampage Jackson’s current situation today and while he didn’t say anything mindblowing, it is nice to hear from the man considering he’s been a ghost since after the Forrest Griffin fight:
“I’m devastated by what he’s been through and some of the things I’ve heard,” said Ibarra. “I’ve not sat down with Quinton to this day to discuss things. I pray for his well-being, and if I helped Quinton out a little bit with his growth in the sport, then I’ve been very blessed and honored to do that. I love this kid with all my heart, and I wish him nothing but the best.”
“I’m not going to get in to storytelling. … It’s not what I’m about,” Ibarra told MMAjunkie.com. “I haven’t sat down with Quinton Jackson, and I’m not going to hear things through sources and through people. This is a kid I’ve been with for almost four years. I have nothing but love and support for him. All I want for Quinton right now is what’s best for him. Whatever he needs from me in any way, I’m here for him and always have been.”
The report goes on to say that Ibarra declined to comment on his relationship with Jackson at the current moment. According to a report from Josh Gross at Sports Illustrated last week, Ibarra and Jackson had split ways following the loss to Griffin but either side has yet to confirm the split.
A pregnant woman injured during former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s alleged hit-and-run incident last month has miscarried, according to her fiance.
While Costa Mesa Police initially indicated there were no serious injuries sustained during the series of accidents on the 55 freeway, it was was revealed a day later that 38-year old Holli Griggs did in fact require medical attention.
Griggs contacted the Daily Pilot and issued a comment in the days proceeding the accident but stated she did not know the severity of her injures. Now, according to the paper, her 16-week old son has died.
After Rampage Jackson’s police chase hit and run incident in Costa Mesa, much speculation was going on in the MMA circles that he had split with his manager and trainer Juanito Ibarra. Josh Gross is now reporting that as fact in his new SI.com article:
With defeat as the impetus, Jackson responded to rough terrain by relieving the trainer of his duties, though “bottom line, somehow, someway it all involves money,” said the fighter’s friend.
Something major must have happened between these two for Jackson to drop Ibarra. Jackson gave almost all the credit for his rebirth as an elite light heavyweight in the UFC to Ibarra’s teachings, not only about the fight game but about spirituality as well. Numerous times Jackson has been quoted as saying that he owes everything he has now to Juanito and that Ibarra truly turned his life around. Whether it’s money, rash decisions, the loss to Forrest Griffin, or a combination of these and other factors, it’s a truly sad state of affairs that these two have had a falling out.
Not only does Gross report on that issue, but also gets some insight into Rampage’s current condition and the condition that he was in at the time of the arrest from an anonymous friend:
While the precise condition and whereabouts of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson are unknown, UFC President Dana White recently gave an indication that Jackson may have possibly spent the weekend in a mental health facility.
Initial indications were that Jackson would spend up to 72 hours under evaluation. According to a recent report by Yahoo! Sports’ Steve Cofield, White indicated that Jackson’s stay might have been extended.
“I think it’s going to be a while before we get him back,” said White during a guest appearance on Cofield’s ESPN Radio show in Las Vegas. “I’m talking as a friend. It’s a sensitive issue. Rampage, the UFC fighter, who cares about that. We’re concerned about Rampage, the human being. What matters is his personal life.”
More details have emerged in regard to the condition of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson prior to his Tuesday arrest on felony charges of evading, hit-and-run and reckless driving.
Throwdown.com, one of Jackson’s sponsors, conducted an interview with Jackson in the hours preceding his arrest. The Daily Pilot is indicating that representatives of the company stated that hours before his arrest that they watched his upset loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86 with him. According to the report, it was the first time Jackson had reviewed the footage.
On Monday, Jackson had met with representatives of Throwdown TV in what was his final interview before his Tuesday arrest. Many fights fans have watched that video and have speculated that Jackson was not in a proper state of mind during the course of the interview.
Gary Alexander is a host with Throwndown TV and conducted the interview. After reading comments on Five Ounces of Pain in which people speculated about Jackson’s mental condition during the interview, Alexander contacted us to offer his perspective.
TMZ.com was the first to report that former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was taken into custody by law enforcement officials on Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. PT. FiveOuncesOfPain.com contacted the Irvine Police Department Thursday afternoon in order to verify TMZ’s report and attempt to obtain more details.
Lt. Rick Handfield confirmed that the reports were and stated that Jackson was near his residence when friends of his flagged down law enforcement officials after they became concerned about Jackson following several statements that he had made.
According to Lt. Handfield, Jackson was cooperative after being approached by the police. After speaking with Jackson, the police decided to take Jackson to a local hospital for a mental evaluation.
When asked by FiveOuncesOfPain.com whether Jackson had been arrested, Handfield stated that he had not. He also indicated that the police could not reveal what hospital he had been taken to or offer any updates on the status of Jackson’s current medical condition.
While attempting to confirm whether a TMZ.com report suggesting that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was declared medically unfit for booking while being processed through the Orange County jail, a representative with the Costa Mesa Police Department indicated to FiveOuncesOfPain.com on Wednesday morning that Jackson made bail and was released from police custody late Tuesday.
Jackson’s bond had been set at $25,000.
The representative did not have any information regarding a report by TMZ that Jackson had been hospitalized in the Orange County area after being declared medically unfit. After calling several major hospitals in the O.C. area, Five Ounces of Pain was not able to verify that Jackson had been admitted to any of them.
This interview, conducted by Throwdown TV, is the last known interview conducted with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. A very candid Jackson acknowledges that he was depressed about his UFC 86 loss to Forrest Griffin for a week after the fight but that he believes the loss will make him a better fighter. He also reveals that he took nine months off from training and that it caused him to gain a lot of weight heading into his nine-week training camp for the fight.
New details pertaining to the Tuesday arrest of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson on alleged felony hit and run charges have begun to surface.
According to Yahoo! Sports, UFC President Dana White left Tuesday evening to fly to California in order to post bond for Jackson. However, gossip website TMZ.com is reporting that Jackson was declared medically unfit for booking and was taken to an Orange County-area hospital.
MMAjunkie.com reported last night neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected to have played a role in Jackson’s arrest.
Attempts by FiveOuncesOfPain.com to contact Jackson’s trainer and manager Juanito Ibarra have thus far gone unanswered.
Costa Mesa Police Lieutenant Paul Dondero confirmed to FiveOuncesOfPain.com that former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was arrested on felony charges of evading, hit and run, and reckless driving in Newport Beach on Tuesday afternoon at approximately 1:35 p.m. PT.
“There were several collisions involved,” Lt. Dondero stated as he revealed the details of Jackson’s arrest to Five Ounces of Pain. “The first two occurred on the 55 freeway. The highway patrol was investigating those. Mr. Jackson fled from those and was first observer by a Costa Mesa motor officer driving with one flat tire while talking on a cell phone and weaving in and out of traffic. He tried to make a stop with lights and siren and Mr. Jackson ignored that and continued South on Newport Boulevard. weaving in and out of traffic and at one point crossing over to the Northbound side. At one point he was on the sidewalk and got into another collision at 17th Street and Newport Boulevard. He continued Southbound into Newport Beach running red lights and finally he came to a stop on the Balboa Peninsula and was taken into custody.”
MMA Junkie has learned the recipients of the traditional UFC Fight Night bonuses.
Forrest Griffin and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson each earned a $60,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus for their 5 round war
Melvin Guillard received $60,000 for “Knockout of the Night” after his 1st round KO over Dennis Siver. (Guillard’s KO was also the only (T)KO of the night)
Cole Miller earned “Submission of the Night” and $60,000 for his 3rd round triangle choke over Jorge Gurgel.
Congratulations to the winners. It’s hard to argue with any of the choices.
FiveOuncesOfPain.com (www.FiveOuncesOfPain.com) has learned from a source close to super heavyweight fighter Antonio Silva that Silva has received the medical clearance from the California State Athletic Commission needed to in order to fight Jonathan Wiezorek on next Saturday’s EliteXC event in Houston, Texas.
While Silva has yet to receive the documents in the mail, he was assured by CSAC officials that the paperwork had been completed and was en route to him.
Silva was placed on medical suspension in June by CSAC after a tumor was located near his pituitary gland. He underwent surgery per the commission’s recommendation to have the tumor removed in hopes that he would be cleared to fight in the future.
Siva, who fought at over 300 lbs., in the past is expected to come into his match against Wiezorek in the 275-280 lbs. range. The two had been scheduled to fight originally on June 2 during FEG’sDynamite USA!! show in Los Angeles
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