Rampage is back

Quinton Jackson was all over the news during his brief breakdown and run-in with the law, but things are starting to straighten out, not least of all Jackson himself. Appearing next to Dana White at the press conference prior to UFC 87, Jackson’s problems were the result of fasting. “There was nothing wrong with him mentally, it was physically. He was exhausted. Severe dehydration, and that caused delirium. He hung out in Vegas for a week.

“He wasn’t drinking (alcohol) and he wasn’t eating. He was drinking energy drinks and you saw what happened on TV and the problems that he had. He is healthy, mentally and physically and will back in the UFC soon.” With UFC matchmakers already looking to get Jackson back in action, possibly against Wanderlei Silva in November, Jackson thanked White for his help. “I love Dana. He was the first one there to take care of me, to show me his love. That’s all I needed was for someone to show me love.”

Huerta and Arianny 'not on speaking terms'

We’re not one for celebrity magazine-style gossip, but this had us intrigued. Roger Huerta, the lightweight fighter who the ladies drool over, was going out with cute-as-pie UFC Octagon girl Arianny Celeste, but not any more it seems.

In an interview following his loss to Kenny Florian, Arianny said “We are no longer on speaking terms. We are no longer friends.” Refusing to elaborate further, her silence fuels rumours that Huerta dumped her for TV actress Laura Prepon, with whom he has been linked. Asked about her love life, Arianny tersely replied, “I’m in love with work.”

UFC: No fatties allowed

He’s 6’3” and 250lb, but former ILF heavyweight champ Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson has a belly that would make a budding sumo wrestler jealous. Since the disbanding of his former employers, the Las Vegas-based heavyweight has signed to fight for Affliction. Interestingly, Nelson told of how his talks with the UFC revolved not around his ferocious fighting ability or KO power, but his portly frame. “Joe Silva was telling me to lose some weight and gain some muscle. He said I need the UFC look.”

Showboating is nothing new

Prior to his mauling at the hands of Brock Lesnar, Heath Herring repeatedly said “This isn’t my first rodeo”. Brock made sure it wouldn’t be his last either, riding the Texan like a bucking bronco at the end of the third round and pretending to lasso him after the fight was over. Hardcore MMA fans were up in arms, angry that pro wrestling theatrics were starting to creep into MMA. To those who were insulted by Brock’s routine, what about Tito Ortiz’s famous grave-digging routine? Or the Diaz brothers’ tendency to flip off entire crowds? Showboating is here to stay, get used to it.

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