Trending News|April 23, 2015 10:07 EDT
UFC 186 Fight News: Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson Cleared for Upcoming Bout vs. Fabio Maldonado
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is back on the UFC 186 card after the court injunction, earlier this month blocking his return to the UFC from Bellator, was lifted Tuesday, allowing the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion to fight in the Montreal event against Brazil's Fabio Maldonado.
According to the UFC website, the 36-year-old will be fighting at a catch weight of 215 pounds, in a card that also features UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson taking on Kyoji Horiguchi of Japan.
"We are happy with the decision from the New Jersey court allowing Rampage to fight in Montreal this Saturday. I am looking forward to seeing Rampage back in the Octagon," UFC president Dana White said.
Jackson last fought in the UFC in January of 2013, losing a decision to light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira. He was released by the UFC shortly after, and signed with rival MMA organization Bellator. After stringing together three straight wins, two by way of knockout, Jackson announced his intention to return to the UFC last December after a contract dispute with Bellator.
"It's time to pay some bills! The fight is back on boyz! April 25th UFC186!!," he wrote in an Instagram post.
"We are gratified that the Appellate Division did not disturb part of the Chancery Division order enjoining Jackson, but are disappointed that they reversed the injunction as to the April 25 fight," a Bellator statement given to Bleacher Report said.
"We continue to believe that Judge [Karen] Suter's decision was thorough, well reasoned and correct, and are evaluating our options."
Jackson, who is 7-5 in the UFC, debuted in the organization back in 2007, knocking out Marvin Eastman in the second round. In his very next fight, he shocked the MMA world by finishing Chuck Liddell in the first round to win the UFC Light Heavyweight championship.