“I Don’t Let Stuff Like That Die”: Years After Retirement, Hateful Grudge Against Ex-Rival Comes to Light as 45-Year-Old Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Talks Shocking Return

Published 07/20/2023, 10:26 AM EDT

Another UFC Legend has expressed his interest in returning to MMA, sometime this year. Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson has said that he might be eyeing a potential return to the sport in 2023. ‘Rampage’ seems to be following the pattern where several other UFC legends have also been returning or speculating a return to competition.

Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson walked away from the UFC back in 2015. He continued competing in MMA professionally even after leaving the promotion. Then, in 2019, he hung up his fight gloves, retiring from the sport. Now, nearly 8 years later, Jackson has explicitly said the fans will get to witness Jackson going on a ‘rampage’ once again – but this time, he also has an opponent in mind.

MMA Return for ‘Rampage’ – Who is Next for the ex-UFC champion?

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In an interview with ‘MMAFightingonSBN’ Rampage Jackson revealed that he already has an opponent in mind, ahead of his return to the game. Of late, many UFC fighters have returned or expressed their interest in returning to the UFC. Jon Jones came back and became the HW champ on his return. Now, rumors are that Georges St-Pierre is returning to the UFC this year, to compete in a grappling match at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational.

During the interview, Jackson said that he is contemplating a return to the UFC and that he is ready to butt heads and ‘destroy’ his opponent. Talking about who he had in mind, Jackson said, “My dream opponent would be… um, Darrill Schoonover.” (Darrill Schoonover is an old TUF rival of Jackson’s).

The two had bad blood between them, many years back. The interviewer was quite taken aback when he learned that Jackson still holds the grudge.

“Yeah. I don’t let stuff like that die. He tried to punk me. Uh… Brendan Schaub said that he don’t think Ti- I mean Darrill would, um… be down to fight.“, clarified ‘Rampage’.

During his time in the UFC, Jackson was a feared fighter. A fearless warrior, Jackson’s dominant UFC track record speaks for itself. “I don’t wanna… My next fight, I don’t wanna fight nobody that I like at all, cause I have to destroy them – whoever it is,” said Jackson.

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The interviewer then suggested a possible matchup against UFC legend Michael Bisping. “Michael Bisping is not a Heavyweight. And me and Michael Bisping – we go way back.“, said Jackson, refuting the fight on the spot.

UFC’s Rampage Rivalries – From Evans to Schoonover

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Rampage Jackson made his UFC debut at UFC 67. He was a devastating fighter who seemed unstoppable at a point. This was before Jon Jones came and put a stop to this ‘rampage’. Jackson’s biggest rivalry was with former UFC Light Heavyweight fighter, Rashad Evans. The two fought at UFC 114 and Evans took the win. However, Jackson isn’t looking to settle the score with him.

This time he wants Darrill Schoonover, who was one of the fighters on Team Evans in TUF, back in 2009. What’s more is that Jackson wants this fight to happen under the banner of UFL (United Fight League), a new promotion led by Harrison Rogers, to which Jackson is an ambassador.

What do you make of this new revelation from Jackson? Would you like to see him get back in the cage? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Arghyadeep is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. His love for combat sports dates back to the WWF. Being a 90’s kid, he grew up fascinated by showmanship, competitive fighting, and wrestling.

Edited by:

Yeswanth Praveen

“I Don’t Let Stuff Like That Die”: Years After Retirement, Hateful Grudge Against Ex-Rival Comes to Light as 45-Year-Old Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Talks Shocking Return

MMA Return for ‘Rampage’ – Who is Next for the ex-UFC champion?

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UFC’s Rampage Rivalries – From Evans to Schoonover