MMA Fan
18-07-2008, 12:49
UFC’s ’Rampage’ draws serious concern
By Dan Duggan
Friday, July 18, 2008 - Updated 2m ago
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Dana White didn’t offer much information about the bizarre events surrounding UFC superstar Quinton “Rampage” Jackson yesterday, but the UFC president was quick to offer his support - firsthand - for the light heavyweight.
After Jackson was arrested Tuesday in Costa Mesa, Calif., and booked on a felony charge of evading arrest, and misdemeanor charges of hit-and-run and reckless driving following a chase with police, White said he was on a plane within “17 minutes” and actually beat Jackson to the Orange County Jail. Jackson was eventually released on $25,000 bail, and has a court date set for Aug. 15.
Then, yesterday, NBCSports.com reported that the former champ was hospitalized Wednesday for a mental health evaluation after friends were concerned by his “unusual behavior.”
Though White did not elaborate on Jackson’s condition, he did throw a load of support behind the fighter.
“When you’re in the UFC you’re part of this family and we really do care about most of the guys in this organization,” White told the Herald Wednesday night in his first public comments since Jackson’s arrest. “I’m not going to tell you I love every guy in here that fights for me, but most of these guys that fight for us, I truly do care about these guys inside and outside the Octagon. When bad (expletive) happens, you better believe I’m showing up.”
Tuesday afternoon, Jackson was allegedly observed weaving his pickup truck in and out of traffic with a flat tire and refused to pull over when police attempted a traffic stop. During the ensuing chase, Jackson drove onto the sidewalk causing pedestrians to flee, ran numerous red lights and collided with a car in an intersection before surrendering to police without incident. No injuries were reported in the chase that began around 1 p.m. and lasted a few minutes. According to reports, there was no evidence that Jackson, who lost the light heavyweight title July 5 to Forrest Griffin, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“We’re in a legal situation right now and we really can’t talk about it yet. I can tell you this, I’ve known Rampage for a long time and he’s a (expletive) great guy,” White said. “I like him personally as a friend. I respect and love him as a fighter. It’s a tough situation. It made no sense to me. I didn’t understand it until I got out there yesterday. It makes more sense to me now and I understand it more and we’re going to get it figured it out.”
Irvine, Calif. police Lt. Rick Handfield told NBCSports.com that Jackson was not being charged with any crimes in Wednesday’s incident, and that it was considered a “mental health detainment.”
White declined to get into specifics about Jackson’s state of mind, citing both legal issues and his friendship with Jackson.
“We’re going to take care of him,” White said. “We’re going to do what we can do to help him through this.”
By Dan Duggan
Friday, July 18, 2008 - Updated 2m ago
E-mail Printable (7) Comments Text size Share (0) Rate
Dana White didn’t offer much information about the bizarre events surrounding UFC superstar Quinton “Rampage” Jackson yesterday, but the UFC president was quick to offer his support - firsthand - for the light heavyweight.
After Jackson was arrested Tuesday in Costa Mesa, Calif., and booked on a felony charge of evading arrest, and misdemeanor charges of hit-and-run and reckless driving following a chase with police, White said he was on a plane within “17 minutes” and actually beat Jackson to the Orange County Jail. Jackson was eventually released on $25,000 bail, and has a court date set for Aug. 15.
Then, yesterday, NBCSports.com reported that the former champ was hospitalized Wednesday for a mental health evaluation after friends were concerned by his “unusual behavior.”
Though White did not elaborate on Jackson’s condition, he did throw a load of support behind the fighter.
“When you’re in the UFC you’re part of this family and we really do care about most of the guys in this organization,” White told the Herald Wednesday night in his first public comments since Jackson’s arrest. “I’m not going to tell you I love every guy in here that fights for me, but most of these guys that fight for us, I truly do care about these guys inside and outside the Octagon. When bad (expletive) happens, you better believe I’m showing up.”
Tuesday afternoon, Jackson was allegedly observed weaving his pickup truck in and out of traffic with a flat tire and refused to pull over when police attempted a traffic stop. During the ensuing chase, Jackson drove onto the sidewalk causing pedestrians to flee, ran numerous red lights and collided with a car in an intersection before surrendering to police without incident. No injuries were reported in the chase that began around 1 p.m. and lasted a few minutes. According to reports, there was no evidence that Jackson, who lost the light heavyweight title July 5 to Forrest Griffin, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“We’re in a legal situation right now and we really can’t talk about it yet. I can tell you this, I’ve known Rampage for a long time and he’s a (expletive) great guy,” White said. “I like him personally as a friend. I respect and love him as a fighter. It’s a tough situation. It made no sense to me. I didn’t understand it until I got out there yesterday. It makes more sense to me now and I understand it more and we’re going to get it figured it out.”
Irvine, Calif. police Lt. Rick Handfield told NBCSports.com that Jackson was not being charged with any crimes in Wednesday’s incident, and that it was considered a “mental health detainment.”
White declined to get into specifics about Jackson’s state of mind, citing both legal issues and his friendship with Jackson.
“We’re going to take care of him,” White said. “We’re going to do what we can do to help him through this.”