Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson signs new Bellator contract

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson discussed his impending free agency and tossed around ideas like a return to the UFC and maybe trying his hand at boxing.

Turns out he’s staying in the Bellator fold after all.

Bellator MMA announced on Thursday that the former UFC light heavyweight champion has signed an exclusive, multi-fight deal to remain with the company. Specific terms were not disclosed.

“I am excited for this new beginning and looking forward to an action-packed 2018,” Jackson said. “I can’t wait to get back in the cage and put on exciting fights for both the ‘Rampage’ and Bellator fans.”

Jackson went 4-1 with Bellator during his initial Bellator tenure, which began in 2013. During that span, Jackson believed Bellator breached his contract and fought a bout against Fabio Maldonado in the UFC before litigation resulted in Jackson’s Bellator return.

But that scenario, which came under a contract negotiated by former Bellator boss Bjorn Rebney, is water under the bridge to current Bellator CEO Scott Coker.

“With ‘Rampage’ Jackson, you know what you’re going to get every time he steps inside the Bellator cage – an exciting fight and interest from fans all over the world,” Scott Coker said. “I knew that keeping ‘Rampage’ with Bellator was integral to our continued growth as a promotion and I’m pleased that we were able to come to an agreement that allows us to plan some great future matchups for him.”

Jackson’s most recent bout was a unanimous decision loss at heavyweight to “King Mo” Lawal, a rematch of a 2014 decision won by Jackson.