“Rampage” Fires Ibarra, May Fight Wanderlei Silva In November
In a recent SI.com article, Josh Gross reports that the rumored split between Quinton “Rampage†Jackson and long time trainer/manager Juanito Ibarra is in fact a reality:
“Rampage’s seismic shift from an idolized mixed martial artist began after he relinquished his title on points to Forrest Griffin UFC 86 on July 5. The decision to fire Juanito Ibarra, his trainer, manager and occasionally spiritual mentor, came shortly thereafter. A lack of food and sleep compounded unsettling behavior, and TMZ photos of Jackson face down in the street at the rear of his Bigfoot-inspired truck — its left front tire shredded — documented the result of a dangerous chase with police.â€
The article adds that Jackson is slowly but surely getting healthier, and could be back in action as early as November:
“He would still make comments that were slightly weird,” said Jackson’s longtime associate. “You could tell that he wasn’t all the way there, but each day you could tell he was better.†Against lawyers’ advice, Jackson has gone out several times. Fan requests for autographs at a local mall have been happily fulfilled. His only other trips are to outpatient treatment, which he attends daily.
…As an Aug. 15 court date approaches for the 30-year-old father of four, a search for a new representation is underway. And, though he is only two weeks removed from an incident that allegedly sent pedestrians scurrying for their lives, the UFC is said to be interested in a November return for Rampage with a third fight against [Wanderlei] Silva.â€
The article concluded that Jackson’s presence inside the octagon will naturally depend upon his mental state, which one would imagine is being monitored on a fairly regular basis these days.
Tags: Quinton Jackson, Wanderlei Silva
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WAR WANDERLEI! When Silva wins the trilogy with Jackson he’ll surely be considered the #1 contender for the LHW title!
Judging from this article it seems like we’ll get to watch Rampage get knocked out by Silva’s knees for a third time especially with his current mental health status. GET YOUR HEAD STRAIGHT RAMPAGE THAT BELT BELONGS TO YOU!!!
its a bad time to be fightin silva…especially since rampage already had his ass wooped by him twice
Silva’s knees might be the reason for Rampages mental problems.
I don’t think that fight will happen, especially that soon. With all that’s going on with Rampage and the recent loss of the title, I think that the UFC’s matchmakers will see fit to give him an easier fight against an opponent that he hasn’t loss to, twice.
joel b,
I have been pretty busy thats why I havent been on…good to see u guys havent forgot about me! haha. Just got married and in the process of upgrading my home…so its rare when im on here anymore..but hopfully that changes in the near future.
Rampage…man, u need to clear your head before you think about fighting anymore. Your sick man!!
I can’t believe he fired Juanito…..crazy. I wonder what the real reason is??
I don’t want to see Wand & Rampage again, I would rather see Wand and Griffin, but wait the UFC would never do that to their favorite Forest.
I think Wanderlei has proved that he can eat Rampage on any given day – so lets move forward.
I would like to see Chuck vs Griffin…althogh they are friends, Chuck would knock him out. Thats a bad matchup for Forrest.
Yea my money would be on Chuck for sure in that fight!
but everyones money was on rampage and rua
Fair point but defending a title is different than competing for one – additional pressure that is new to Forest.
Yeah, I def think they should give him a confidence boost fight before matching him against Wanderlie unless it’s a winner gets a title shot match.
yes come on save this rematch for a fight that can go five rounds not three… it was like chuck and silvas fight need to be 5 rounds not 3 to short that fight could have and SHOULD have gone on,
but like everyone knows the title shot will go to dana white’s right hand man chuck we all have known that for a while, but i hope he will give Wanderlei the first title defense against chuck for a 5 round and we will see if chuck can take one Wanderlei when he is more adapt to the rules of ufc.
Dana always favors his fighters…urg
Then who’s next for Griffin?
I’m down to see a Liddel/Silva rematch as long as Wanderlie comes out and attacks like the mad man he is. In the first match-up he wasn’t as aggressive as he usually is. I know I’m going to get bombarded with hate for saying this but if you would have taken the names and reputations away from these 2, that first fight would have been boring.
Lord Mark,
They both have been waiting for that fight for years and neither of them wanted to engage in fears of kissing the canvas! Wand came out much more aggressive after the (longer than normal) feeling out process was finished – so did Chuck.
If I could have my way I would like to see Wand and liddell for the title.
GOOD FOR HIS **** ASS!!! I KNOW HE THREW THE FIGHT AND IBARRA PROBABLY TOLD HIM TO DO SO FOTHE $$$ AND NOW IS REGRETING, SORRY RAMPAGE NO **** ASS NESS IS WANTED!!!
Rampage better get his head straight before getting into the ring with Silva. He has to be 100% before stepping into the octagon mentally and physically for this big fight. Winner of this fight will get Liddel/Evans/Griffin winner in March. Third times a charm?
JOEL B YOU ARE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF ****ASSNESS!!! No one cares about you being away, you moron!!!
I dont like griffen but i like the way he used his height & size advantage against Rampage. All jokes aside if he does the same with chuck, he would beat him as well.
Poor Rampage. I love the guy and hope he gets his head on straight before thinking he can take out Wanderlei. Bad bad decision if he tries too soon and without a warm up fight.
what u talkin about Smitty?
Wanderlei looked the same against that Jardine tool!
FixXeR if you want to know what i am talking about read all comments, tool!!!
He (silva) didn’t smile at all before the Jardine fight if I remember right. I think he was almost star stuck to be fighting in the UFC again, when he fought Chuck. He had been around the world, done it all, and now back to where he should be. I think the Liddell fight, if not for the on the edge of your seat aticipation of waiting for that one punch that never came, would have been boring. Pretty sure if they fought again, it would happen, one way or the other.
Tool?? I see u are talking trash about joel b…..but dont see a comment from him anywhere on this post. You need to relax
Why is everyone talking crap about Joel B? He hasn’t even made a comment haha. Yeah we could see an over the hill Liddell fight Forrest for the belt, which i wouldn’t be surprised if it happened, but he’s gotta get passed Rashad first. Then we can see Anderson Silva wipe the LW division clean after he takes care of Cote(since it should only last the first punch) Maybe we can see Anderson fight Wanderlei and Thiago, it will be a Silva fight-a-thon!!!
Getting rid of Juanito was dumb almost as dumb as going on a high speed chase in a personalized vehicle.The only thing dumber would be fighting a guy who beat you down after you nuked your trainer.
I love Rampage, thats exactly why I want no part of him fighting Silva again. Those knees man, they are Quinton’s kryptonite. Seriously, its tough to beat that guy without kneeing him in the grill(I know Forrest squeaked by him on the cards) but Rampage did not knock Forrests block off like he should. He fought weird, like I have never seen him fight. Quinton needs someone not names Silva in his next fight. No Wanderlei, No Thiago, No Anderson. Well, maybe Thiago. Anyhow, my point is that he isn’t ready for those knees. Mainly though I hope he gets back right mentally, seems like a nice cool dude, something is seriously wrong.
Its funny how one minute rampage jackson is regarded the best pound for pound fighter in the world then the next he’s nothing. Rampage wasn’t knocked out by forrest, he lost by way of kicks that was deciced by the 2nd round.Page has taken care of chuck and dan remember.IM SURE RAMPAGE WELL DO FINE AGAINST SILVA.
I can see the title changing hands 3 times in the next year
i see what’s being set up, it’s all a conspiracy.
chuck vs. evans…chuck wins
rampage vs silva…silva wins
chuck vs. forrest…chuck wins (i hope not, but that’s what’ll probably happen)
and finally…
CHUCK VS. SILVA II as a 5-round title fight. yeah, can i write this stuff or what?!!
I want Anderson Silva to fight for the 205 belt. He would pound on Griffin. Anderson is bored in 185 + I also think Anderson & Chuck would be a sick fight!
too much controversy over who deserves the next title shot, just throw them all in the octogon…chuck, wanderlei, rampage, thiago, machida. BATTLE ROYALE!!
HELL YEAH!!! Get Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle on that action
Rampage needs the Coleman fight for confidence…
Everyone else is jumping divisions it might as well be jackson’s turn…
Rampage is going through alot of Adversaty right now if he can come back and Defeat Wanderlei and move on to Regaining the Title he was Robbed of then there will be no Doubt he is the Real CHAMP!!!Also when he Lost to Wanderlei it was his Second fight of the Night infact it was only 45 minutes after he Laid out Chuck for the first time in Pride plus Rampage is a Totally different Fighter now so Wanderlei will have his Hands Full if this fight ever happens in the Octagon.
people- you know you can comment about mma all you like, but we need to stop with the insulting of other posters. it will not be tolerated, so take it to the sherdog or UG forums, but leave it out of here!. thanks.
I simply wish Rampage a speedy recovery from whatever it was that had him sick.
All the Best Quinton!
Obviously rampage just got screwed up there for a while, but it is good that he is recovering, and i would love Rampage Silva III
Rampage will totally own Wandy. In the UFC, they keep it real, it’s not fixed by the Japanese/Brazillian alliance.
When Rampage was grouding’N'pounding Wandy in one of their 2 meetings, Rampage was just about to knock him out, of course Wandy’s cornermen who were Brazillian and Japanese told the Japanese ref to stand them up, which he did just that, and Wandy used his strong point to win.
In the UFC, they welcome ground fighting, which is why Rampage will take him down, and just destroy him.
Comparing Wandy’s ground game to Rampage’s ground game is like comparing me to Chuck Liddell…I SUCK!
Rampage is the man! Glad to hear he’s getting better.
all in all sounds like some great news for everyone except ibarra but i guess no one cares cause i sure dont.
Rampage’s biggest problem is that nobody will see Midnight Meat Train and know just how well he can act…
quinton vs wandy is gonna be amazing i think this one will go to a descion
Regardless of everything, I just want Rampage to be okay and come back meaner, stronger and better. Ibarra was not one of my favorite faces and I am pleased about that portion of the news. Get well Rampage…..
I read the article early yesterday. It was a good read. I like it that Rampage trys to live a Christian life but he needs to have better guidance. There is no need to go on a crazy fast. He should just go to church and pray everyday.
Liddell is higher on the LHW bracket than Wanderlei… After Liddell rolls Evans, you will see Liddell v Griffin… which will be the fight of the century. i cant even begin to speculate who wins that fight
Eric,
I just saw what you posted. Apologies about the other posts I’ve made on the other news. I hadn’t read this yet.
I would REALLY like to see Rampage win against Silva but that is so unlikely I almost feel bad for him. He’s one of my favorites.
His movie isn’t that bad by the way…Go only if
1 You have a stomach for strong gore…
2 You collected Thor Comics as a kid…
cant belive some of these post, alot of people are talking sh*T on here, people need to remember chuck kicked wandi ass in his last fight so that puts chuck ahead ov wandi, yeah ok wandi came back an knocked jardine out in 9seconds hats off,(i seem to remember alexander doing that) but that doesn’t mean wandi gets rated higher then chuck for a titel shot, wandi needs another 2 wins to get that shot there are 4 fighters ahead of him at the mo (liddell,evens,t-silva,machida)people need to stop going on reputation and rate people on what they are doin now, for some people to say wandi gets the next shot f*cking stupid.
i dont know i just see liddell knocking forrest out like jardine did….i think liddell will catch forrest eventually….if he beats evans….if evans wins ill still be happy cause ive wanted to see evans and griffin fight for a while!
rampage will just get tko’d again by wandi!!!! for the third time
nev-o,
I kinda thought that too. Then again, I am hoping Rampage comes back like a f-n monster. I feel for the guys situation. Within a 30 minute period his world turned upside down and it caused him to break. I don’t know what to expect but I just hope he is victorious in his next match to help his head and emotions get better.
Rampage vs Machida. Its the Only Way to go.
Ibarra turned Rampage around, and got him the belt. Much as I dont like the guy, He carried the leash on Rampage. I dont see this as a good move on Rampages part. Give us the back story on this matter….. and where does that leave Forrest? everyone has a match come September, I thought he would defend for the new years show??
I just read that the woman that Rampage hit with his truck had a miscarraige. Not looking good for him.
ARE YOU SERIOUS. RAMPAGE IS IN TROUBLE.
BUT ANYWAY. IF HE DOES FIGHT WANDY AND MORE THEN LIKELY HE’LL LOSE. I CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT HE’S GONNA DO WHEN HE LOSES 2 IN A ROW… SO THIS ALSO MEANS HE DIDN’T GET SUSPENDED FOR HIS DUMB ASS…
WHICH IS BS.
That is horrible….