“I think he could have been so much better if he applied himself. He had all the tools. Incredible chin, knockout power in both hands, incredible charisma and personality,” said White in an interview with MMAFighting. “Tell me ‘Rampage’ Jackson wasn’t born to fight. Not only in his power, but his attributes, his wrestling, his chin, the list goes on and on.”

“His potential could have been so much more,” White wistfully concluded. “This is a crazy business, you always have these guys who think they’re getting screwed and this and that and everything else that’s happening. ‘Rampage’ wants to fight one more fight on his contract, and his last fight, and he’ll never make that money ever again for the rest of his life. A lot of those guys in the UFC don’t realize that until it’s too late.”

Jackson’s status hasn’t been updated in more than a month when he revealed he would undergo surgery on both of his knees and be out until later this year when he is expected to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. The bout could very well mark Jackson’s final appearance inside the Octagon having cited a desire to depart the organization for personal reasons after getting one more match-up in.

PHOTO CREDIT – TRIUMPH UNITED/UFC

Now, facing double-knee surgery, Jackson says he has several years left opposed to previous comments the ex-UFC light heavyweight champion made implying retirement was on the horizon.

“Before I started doing testosterone, I was thinking about retiring,” said Jackson in an interview with Sherdog Radio’. “Not because I was upset with the UFC as much as because my body’s all beat up. I wasn’t as motivated to train. That’s why, because my testosterone levels were really low.”

Some fighters have spoken out against the use of TRT, while several others have claimed it is perfectly legal if used within the strict guidelines. Jackson is one of the latter, adding, “I feel like it’s a medical condition. Now I feel like I’m 25 again. I’m going to be fighting for as long as I want to fight.”

It remains to be seen if the UFC or state athletic commissions change how they approach the use of TRT going forward, but for now count Jackson among those that will continue taking advantage of it.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Jackson’s admission came this week while stopping by Sherdog Radio where he said things had gone downhill after his decision to take a starring role in The A-Team, backing out of a planned and heavily promoted fight with Rashad Evans in the process.

“I know I messed up the relationship by doing the movie over fighting Rashad. It was my fault,” revealed Jackson. I’ve got to keep it real. I did that. I messed up. I should have honored my contract and fought Rashad after The Ultimate Fighter.”

“Before that Dana and I was really cool. I was really cool with the UFC, Lorenzo (Fertitta) and everybody. We were all cool, but I messed up the relationship by doing the movie and I’m aware of that,” the 33-year old continued.

The former light heavyweight champion also addressed his future in the UFC, stating he still intends to fight Mauricio Rua as soon as he’s healed from surgery on both of his knees. While that also means he wants to fight Forrest Griffin again, “Rampage” said Rua is the more enticing option for a last hurrah given how long he’s had to reflect on the TKO defeat he suffered in PRIDE.

“I want to rematch everybody who’s done kicked my ass. I’ve been asking for Forrest for years. I don’t know how come that never happened, but I’d rather fight ‘Shogun’ first and then Forrest because ‘Shogun’, I’ve been wanting to revenge that loss for years. That fight haunted me for years,” said Jackson. “So yeah, I want to fight Shogun. It’s perfect. I’m happy with that and I plan on that being my last fight in the UFC.”

No timetable was offered on when Jackson expected to be fully rehabbed and ready to fight again.

PHOTO CREDIT – LEXANI TIRES / UFC

While a guest on last night’s episode of MMA Uncensored, Sonnen was asked his opinion on a number of subjects. One of them included Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, specifically in terms of how the former UFC champion has been going about trying to get out of his contract.

“I like him. Look, he’s a crybaby, but I find it interesting,” said Sonnen. “I like it when he goes on his campaigns about entitlement and how he should be given easy fights. A lot of things are expected of him and he’s not quite delivering.”

Jackson, you might remember, missed weight for his bout with Ryan Bader in the co-main event of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson last month in Japan. He quickly let it be known a knee injury caused him to miss several days of training, not allowing him to get in the kind of shape he needed and thus he couldn’t cut the necessary weight.

In more recent days, Jackson has tried to push his way out of competing in the final fight on his UFC contract. Instead, it was announced “Rampage” would meet Mauricio “Shogun” Rua later this year, though, before a date could be set, Jackson remarked he would undergo double-knee surgery and be out for an extended amount of time.

When the 33-year old caught wind of Sonnen’s comments, Jackson addressed them on Twitter, writing, “I’ll walk up to him and smack him like a bitch on camera for the whole (world) to see.”

Sonnen is rumored to be fighting Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title later this year in Brazil, though the outspoken 185er reiterated he still hasn’t signed a bout agreement and that nothing official is in place.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Jackson saved that nugget of information until Thursday where he again took to the social networking site, this time writing his bout with the Brazilian would have to wait while he got surgery on both of his knees. No specifics beyond that were offered in terms of the procedure or required period of recovery though “Rampage” did state one had been hurt against Jon Jones and the other in training.

“I heal fast (so) don’t trip,” said Jackson, assuring fans he planned to make his way back to the Octagon sooner than later. The circumstances certainly didn’t appear to bring the popular pugilist’s spirits down, as later in the evening he mentioned being “buzzed” and heading to a club in Los Angeles.

With no date set for Jackson-Rua II, nor knowledge of the 33-year old’s actual prognosis, it’s impossible to know exactly how the planned rematch will be affected. The two 205ers first fought in PRIDE with “Shogun” picking up a TKO win in the first five minutes of action.

PHOTO CREDIT – LEXANI TIRES/UFC

While no date is set for their meeting, the UFC confirmed the match-up as well as the company’s willingness to set Jackson free after the fight on this week’s episode of UFC Tonight. The pairing also aligns with a number of public statements from both Jackson and Rua in the past pertaining to their interest in a rematch.

“Rampage” has been seeking his release for the past few weeks, citing problems with pay and an overall level of respect from his longtime employers.

In addition to putting two former title-holders and all-around entertaining, high-level competitors inside the cage together, Rua and Jackson could both use a win as each is coming off a decision loss in their previous performance. Jackson came up short against Ryan Bader at UFC 144, while the Brazilian battle it out with Dan Henderson in a Fight of the Year contender last November.

Success-wise, Rua holds an overall record of 20-6 with wins over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, Alistair Overeem, and Lyoto Machida to his credit. Comparably, Jackson is 32-10 with notable triumphs against Liddell, Machida, Henderson, and Wanderlei Silva.

Watch the full report below:

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

According to Jackson, who said he is actively trying to get out of the remaining fight he’s contracted for, the issue he has with the UFC is partially based on money but more about respect. Tired of facing wrestlers, longing to instead take on opponents more inclined to put on entertaining fights, Jackson is apparently more than willing to take a hefty cut in pay so long as he feels appreciated.

“I think (matchmaker) Joe Silva needs to be slapped in the face, I’m sorry, but if you’ve got a fighter like me who likes to go out and put on exciting fights why are you gonna keep giving me wrestlers who are gonna take me down and hump me,” “Rampage” asked rhetorically. “I’m sorry. I’m just really tired of the UFC and their tactics.”

“After my fight with Jon Jones they told my manager that I was losing my appeal – that rappers don’t come and watch me fight no more, that the fans really don’t like me no more. Cause it was getting close to time for me to renegotiate and PRIDE did the same thing to me,” Jackson continued. “To me my respect is more than money so I’ll go fight for some other show for free and I’ll prove it to fans that I’m not all about money.”

While there’s no question any MMA promotion would love to have Jackson sign for such a minimal amount, the former champion said he has one requirement when it comes to inking a deal.

“I’m gonna go to an organization that gives me a little clout…anywhere, as long as I’ve got a little clout and I can control it a little bit and the guys appreciate me for putting on a good show. Just say thank you at the end of the show. I don’t care if I make $500 again,” the 33-year old stated. However, within minutes of his apparent attitude of altruism Jackson also mentioned he felt as though he should be making 4X his current salary as a headliner/co-headliner in the UFC.

Listen to the full interview below where either rage will be fueled or sympathy created (probably the former):

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

“Let me clear things up for my fans…I’m upset cause I’ve been fighting hurt for a few years now cause I have kids and for ya’ll,” wrote Jackson. “The UFC knew I was hurt and almost every fight I was hurt, but instead of saying thanks for not pulling out they talk sh*t about a poor job I did. I never missed weight, but when I do, nobody stops for a second to ask if I was hurt.”

Jackson spoke some about the financial side of things, changing his tune in terms of his problem with what he was being paid based on the hit his bank account will likely take by leaving.

“I’m not complaining about money cause I’m about to make a lot less money now, but at least the people I fight for will appreciate what I do for MMA,” said the former light heavyweight champion.

The upset 33-year old also added he hadn’t been happy with matchmaking either, seeking opponents who want to fight rather than score points.

“Why? So I can keep being under-promoted and given leg-humpers who just want to take me down all the time instead of havin a show,” Jackson asked a fan who plead for him to reconsider his stance. Jackson’s previous opponent, Ryan Bader, scored a decision victory in large part based on his high-level grappling rather than beating Jackson in any other phase of the fight.

As far as what he has planned next, Jackson said his immediate focus would be on getting healthy, possibly returning to Hollywood after his success with The A-Team, and then looking at his in-ring options in terms of a future match-up.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Were that not enough, Jackson came out last week to express his extreme frustration with the UFC, stating he felt he was underpaid and that the company as a whole was a negative environment. “Rampage” even went so far as to say his next fight inside the Octagon would be his final appearance inside the infamous eight-sided cage.

Jackson was back at it again last night on Twitter, this time seeking his immediate release rather than returning to compete under the promotion’s banner one more time.

“I’m hoping the UFC just lets me go so I can do my thang. They took my love of fighting after the Forrest fight,” an animated Jackson wrote on the social networking site. “The UFC makes billions off us all over the world and pay us chump change! Boxers are boring but making buckets of money. THINK!”

For the record, Jackson earned $250,000 in base salary for his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135 with a similar tag likely attached to his services against Bader (though no figures have been released for the event).

The 33-year old did not elaborate further on what had happened after his 2008 defeat to Forrest Griffin to taint his “love of fighting”. Less than two weeks after the match-up Jackson was arrested for a series of felonies stemming from a hit-and-run filled tear in California said to be the result of delirium brought on by a lack of sleep combined with energy drinks.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Jackson went on Twitter last night to reveal he intended to leave the UFC after his next outing inside the Octagon based on personal reasons.

“I will fight who ever they put n front of me, I always have, but it will be my last fight in the UFC, I have other things on my mind,” wrote the 33-year old former champion. “I didn’t say I would be done fighting, I just said I’m not fighting for the UFC (u fight cheap).”

The outspoken light heavyweight also added he felt the UFC was a negative environment and he wanted to surround himself with positivity though he didn’t elaborate beyond those statements.

If “Rampage” is indeed done with the UFC, far from a given when considering the current MMA landscape and the ability to change his mind, he will exit the organization with a 7-4 record (not counting his next fight) and wins over Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Jackson, who lost to Ryan Bader at UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson, recently admitted to having used testosterone injections prior to the fight in hopes of healing his injured knee quicker than normal. Not only did it assist him in that regard but “Rampage” believes that TRT has made him more likely to continue fighting past his previous retirement target of 35.

Several other fighters have used TRT and it can be legal if held under the right levels, something Jackson says he did in addition to informing his bosses at the UFC about it beforehand as well.

“I spoke to the UFC and they were like, ‘Yeah, a lot of fighters are probably doing it but not telling anyone.’ Me, I keep it real,” said Jackson, in a recent interview with Fighters Only Magazine. “It’s legal and I am not abusing it and I am not going over certain levels. From what I learned about it, when I got tested, my levels were really low and the doctor was telling me that athletes can burn testosterone.”

“I gave myself small doses and that (expletive) immediately changed me,” Jackson continued. “That’s why I am saying now I am not going to retire. It’s just unfortunate that I got this injury.”

Jackson injured his knee in training and was told by a doctor that he should not compete. However, for Jackson that was not an option based on his overwhelming desire to fight in Japan so he followed the advice of his physician who directed him to an “age-management” specialist.

“I really wanted to fight for the Japanese fans and so I went to see the doctor and he told me not to fight. I was like ‘Whoa.’ I bust out crying, because I had missed Japan and… you know, I don’t like to tell people that I cry but I am a human being, I cried. I woke up at like three o’clock in the morning and I cried. I couldn’t train and I didn’t know if it would be a career-ending injury.”

The only negative to his decision to use testosterone had to do with the weight it put on him, one of the factors causing him to come in heavy against Bader.

“I hurt my knee like a month ago and I only did three shots of testosterone but it put a lot of weight on me, a lot of muscle on me but it healed me knee up good enough to where I could fight.”

Numerous other fighters in the UFC have acknowledged using TRT as well including Chael Sonnen and Dan Henderson.

PHOTO CREDIT – LEXANI TIRES/UFC

Henderson, who is sitting on the sidelines while waiting for a bout, sounded off on “Rampage” through Twitter regarding Jackson’s performance and overall appearance relating to the former champion missing weight and eventually being outpointed by Ryan Bader in the co-main event of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson.

“Might just be me but Rampage’s stomach is hanging out past his dicky do. Not really able to get aggressive,” Henderson posted. “Bader fought great. Nice job. Quinton looks like he just showed up to get paid.”

Jackson said that he didn’t want to disappoint his beloved Japanese fans by pulling out of the fight despite doctor’s orders. During the weigh-in special, Rich Franklin questioned Jackson’s desire as well, though “Rampage” later revealed he suffered a knee injury in training preventing him from reaching the required weight.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

After falling to Jon Jones in a bout for the light heavyweight title last year, Jackson asked to be matched up with Rua for the recently-completed UFC card in Japan, UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. The timing didn’t work out, and instead Jackson faced Ryan Bader and lost.

While Jackson’s stock may have taken a hit, “Shogun” doesn’t seem to mind in terms of another fight with Jackson. Rua, who was last seen falling to Dan Henderson in what many called the “Fight of the Year” this past November, still feels the need to step inside the Octagon with “Rampage” before the two retire from the sport.

“The fight against ‘Rampage’ will happen. It’s inevitable and (the) UFC knows it,” said Rua, in a recent interview with TATAME. “He won’t retire before fighting me and neither am I. I don’t know if he got injured (vs. Bader), if he was not feeling okay….it’s hard to know, but ‘Rampage’ is very professional and deserves to be respected.”

Rua added that he is expecting to find out his next opponent soon and will be back in training quickly to return to action. However, he offered no hint as to who the lucky party will be, only saying, “I don’t discard Ryan Bader nor ‘Rampage’, Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin… I guess there are many guys I could fight,” said Rua.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/SUSUMU NAGAO

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

After missing weight, the former light heavyweight champion disclosed he suffered a knee injury in training likely keeping him out of the bout had it not been in Japan. “Rampage” made a name for himself while fighting in Japan before joining the UFC and had lobbied for a chance to compete on the card since the second it was announced.

“I almost didn’t make it to the fight, but I didn’t want to pull out for the Japanese fans,” said Jackson at the post-event press conference. “I injured my knee pretty bad, and my doctor told me not to fight. But it wasn’t real serious. I didn’t need surgery or nothing, but he told me it wasn’t a good idea to fight.”

Jackson went on to say he believes the injury came about while working with Tyson Jeffries on his wrestling. “Rampage” added his belief he was in as good of shape as ever before the knee problem sprung up and said he would be back fighting once again as soon as he’d healed up completely.

The loss was the second consecutive stumble for Jackson who also fell to title-holder Jon Jones in September.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Bader agreed to the fight at a catchweight, with “Rampage” forking over 20 percent of his purse to “Darth.”

During an interview on Fuel TV’s weigh-in special, Jackson reported suffering an injury during training that kept him from doing his normal workouts. While he wouldn’t go into detail what the injury was, Jackson seemed quite upset.

Earlier in the show, guest analyst Rich Franklin said that missing weight by just a few pounds meant Jackson wasn’t taking the fight serious. Those were fighting words, as far as “Rampage” was concerned.

“Rich Franklin needs to watch his mouth before I smack him the next time I see him,” said Jackson, who reported on Twitter some four hours before the weigh-ins that he was still six pounds over. “He should watch what he says. You don’t question if a fighter is taking a fight seriously or not. I take all my fights seriously. I’m tired of people saying that.”

Jackson (32-9) will be trying to get back on track after a submission loss to Jon Jones in 2011 in a fight for the UFC light heavyweight title. Bader (13-2) is coming off a knockout victory over Jason Brilz.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/LEXANI

In the clip, also White does a little shopping at a MMA-related store in Saitama, though the highlights definitely come from his backstage interactions with UFC 144 fighters Frankie Edgar and Quinton Jackson.

“What are you weighing,” White asks Jackson who responds with a laugh, “You don’t wanna know.”

Another entertaining exchange between White and “Rampage” relates to Jackson’s desire to move to Japan for a year in hopes of learning the language. However, it’s not necessarily for the reasons one might assume.

“My kids be talking sh*t about me. My two youngest kids are Japanese. They’re fluent. They talk sh*t about me right in front of my face. I just want to learn so I can talk sh*t back to them,” Jackon jokes. “I can understand a little bit of what they’re saying but I just know they’re talking sh*t about me. But I don’t know what they’re saying. They’re laughing because they know I don’t know. That’s embarrassing that your kids can speak a language you can’t.”

UFC 144 takes place tomorrow night starting at 10:00 PM EST with prelims on Facebook/FX starting a few hours earlier.

Check out the full vlog below:

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

The 33-year old Jackson explained why in a recent conference call with media, stating he has no hard feelings pertaining to Bader as he seemingly did against adversaries like Jon Jones, Rashad Evans, and Wanderlei Silva. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’ll treat him with any more respect than he would he worst enemy once the two get inside the Octagon.

“Honestly, I got nothing against Ryan Bader. He’s a cool guy. He never talked trash against me. When I fight guys like this, it’s never nothing personal. Most times anyway,” said Jackson. “But I’m just going out there like a guy putting on a great show for the fans. I’ve got nothing against Ryan Bader at all. I’m still going to try to knock his head off. But there ain’t going to be no hard feelings about it.”

While there’s no personal issue between Jackson and Bader the bout is as important to “Rampage” as any he’s ever fought in before based on it marking a return to his PRIDE stomping grounds.

“It’s very important to be personally,” replied Jackson on what the fight means to him. “My kids are from Japan, my kids’ grandparents are from there. They’ve never really watched me fight back in the day, and I’ve got a lot of experience in Japan. I really miss the fans; I’m not going to lie. I really miss fighting there, so it was something personal for me, so my two younger kids can come watch me fight and the in-laws can be in the crowd and watch me fight. I never had that before, so it is something that I want to do.”

See how Jackson fares when things fire up Saturday night on PPV at 10:00 PM EST. Other featured fights on the main card include Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields and Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

After taking his cause public and continuing to push things behind the scenes the UFC finally relented on their stance and booked him to face Ryan Bader on February 26 at the company’s upcoming return to the Land of the Rising Sun.

The news came as a great relief to Jackson who spoke some about the differences between fighting in Japan when compared to the United States at a recent press conference promoting the event.

“Back when I was fighting here, I had so much energy. I just wanted to put on a good show for the fans because all the energy they give,” Jackson explained. “In America, you’re under so much pressure to win at all costs because the fans talk sh*t to you if you lose even if it’s a good, exciting fight. In Japan, it’s just a different energy. Who knows? Maybe I’ll take more chances and not care because it’s all about the crowd. I react to the crowd. I don’t care about the people watching on TV.”

Jackson continued on to say the change in environment actually had a negative effect on his in-ring style, stating, “Actually my standup has evolved a lot since I last fought here, but at the same time that’s what’s gotten me in trouble a lot lately. Everyone sees me boxing a lot more, so they’re creating great game plans to counter my boxing. In Japan, I used to slam a lot and put on more of a show because the energy from the fans gave me power and I don’t feel the same energy in the US. So, I can’t honestly say I improved or evolved in a good way since leaving Japan.”

Though the actual impact the surroundings will have on the former UFC light heavyweight champ remains to be seen, Jackson made it clear he  hopes Bader shares his enthusiasm for attempting to wow those in attendance.

“The only thing that matters when he steps in the cage in Japan is that he comes in to put on an exciting show. I’m all about putting on an exciting fight in Japan. One thing I love about Japanese fans and why I love them the most is that they don’t care if you win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That’s why Japanese fans are my favorite. And American fans are jealous that I say that all the time.”

UFC 144 will mark the first fight in Japan for “Rampage” in six years after making a name for himself in PRIDE from 2001-2006. His many memorable performances in Japan include those coming in match-ups with Chuck Liddell, Kevin Randleman, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio Rua, and Ricardo Arona.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/FEG

Now, not only does it appear Jackson is definitely the object of the 30 year old’s in-ring desire, but he’s even willing to spend the fight striking with him if need be to facilitate the match-up

Lawal’s statements came in a recent conversation with Full Contact Fighter where he also offered up a bit of trash-talk on top of the proposed challenge.

Though Lawal is currently a member of Strikeforce, that doesn’t seem to be a huge issue as UFC President Dana White has been gobbling up talent from the promotion for major bouts in his company.

“Enough of the talk, let’s do the action. Let’s bang then, dawg. You’re talkin’ about you wanna box, you can box me! I won’t take you down, you know what I’m sayin’,” Lawal animatedly explained in the interview. “Or you can holla at my boy James Toney and be a sparring partner for him. Pick your poison. You can getcha ass whipped in boxing by James Toney, or you can getcha ass whipped by me in MMA. I’ll stand and box with you.”

Lawal and Jackson have made quite the verbal warfare, tossing jabs at one another for over 15 years, according to “King Mo.” Jackson has said a number of times in the past he is looking for a fight at the UFC’s show in Japan this upcoming February, and Lawal has said he would be fine with taking on “Rampage” in the Land of the Rising Sun if need be.

Lawal, a college wrestling standout, rebounded from his first professional loss and an extended layoff from injury to come back and defeat previously undefeated grappler Roger Gracie earlier this year via knockout. Jackson, a former 205-pound champ, was defeated by Jon Jones in a bout for the light heavyweight belt last month at UFC 135.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE/UFC

Jackson opened up about his desire to fight on February 26 when the UFC returns to Japan after ten years away from the Land of the Rising Sun during recent conversation with MMAWeekly.

“I love Japanese fans, they know how to respect a fighter and they know what’s up. Win or lose this fight I would like to be on the Japan show,” the 33-year old explained. “I love Japan (and) I miss the Japanese fans. I would love to go and put a show on in front of them.”

“Rampage” rose to stardom in large part due a number of exciting past performances under the PRIDE banner including wins over Kevin Randleman and Chuck Liddell, as well as a bout against Ricardo Arona featuring one of MMA’s all-time highlights when Jackson put the Brazilian away with a Powerbomb Slam. His run in famed Japanese organization also introduced fans to Jackson’s colorful personality and antics.

The former 205-pound title-holder is one of a number of UFC fighters who have openly expressed their hopes of scrapping in Saitama including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Yoshihiro Akiyama.

PHOTO CREDIT – PRIDE