Fighters Only

Issue 104

August 2013

‘RAMPAGE’ ON VERGE OF BELLATOR AND TNA WRESTLING CONTRACT

Former UFC light heavyweight champion ‘Rampage’ Jackson was on the verge of being announced as a Bellator MMA fighter and pro wrestler for TNA Impact at time of going to print.

Jackson’s new deal was due to be announced at a press conference at the start of June.

The Wolfslair fighter will appear in both Bellator and TNA Impact wrestling, and is set to debut for the former later this year.

The deal was rumored to be similar to the one the promotion, part-owned by Viacom, struck with former Strikeforce champ ‘King Mo’ last year, which allows him the opportunity to train for and wrestle in TNA.

Although nobody from Bellator was able to confirm or provide a statement about the signing to FO, the deal is believed to be the biggest individual contract in Bellator history and is perhaps the loudest statement yet of its desire to challenge the UFC.

Jackson last fought in January this year in a decision loss to Glover Teixeira – his third defeat in a row, which includes a challenge at Jon Jones’ UFC light heavyweight belt. But it is the longest win-less streak of Jackson’s 14-year career.

Bellator was also due to announce its first-ever UK television deal, agreeing to screen events live on the free-to-view, Viacom-owned Viva channel.

Although the station primarily screens MTV-produced reality shows and music videos it’s available free in around 19.3 million UK homes and to effectively all 26 million UK television households via multiple digital TV platforms.

FORREST GRIFFIN RETIRES FROM MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin has retired from mixed martial arts. The light heavyweight winner of the first series of The Ultimate Fighter, Griffin announced his exit from the sport at the UFC 160 post-fight press conference.

The fan favorite told reporters chronic injuries played a large role in his decision. Griffin added: “I saw the Brian Stann vs. Wanderlei [Silva] fight, and I thought, ‘If I don’t have another one of those in me there’s no point in doing this anymore.’”

Griffin is credited with helping shoot the sport into the mainstream thanks to his exciting three-round brawl with Stephan Bonnar in the 205lb final of the original season of The Ultimate Fighter.

UFC president Dana White confirmed Griffin will maintain a role within the promotion. Whilst Griffin stated charity work would be something he’d “like to do.”

Griffin’s retirement came just a few weeks after former UFC 170lb champ Matt Serra stopped just short of saying he’s hanging up his gloves, and ex interim UFC heavyweight champion Shane Carwin announced he will no longer compete.

WHAT'S HOT

KICKING DUDES IN THE NUTS

At least we’re guessing it’s in vogue judging by the amount of times it happens

BELLATOR MMA

Are big things afoot?

RETIREMENT?

From Forrest Griffin, to Matt Serra, to Shane Carwin it seems to be happening left and right

WHAT'S NOT

MARIJUANA

Pat Healy testing positive for it after UFC 159 cost him $130,000 in fight-night bonuses

COURT CASES

Top lightweight Eddie Alvarez and his career are stuck in legal limbo