Rampage Retires?

The biggest story in the MMA over the last 24 hours is the supposed retirement of former light heavyweight champion Quinton Rampage Jackson. Jackson posted on his blog that his argument with Dana White has escalated to the point that he wants to walk away from the sport to pursue acting. Rampage was scheduled to fight in his hometown of Memphis against Rashad Evans but has backed out of the fight in order to film the upcoming A-Team movie.

Of course it remains to be seen if we really have seen the last of Rampage in a cage or if this is just another in a series of break-up/make-up sagas that White and numerous other fighters have gone through over the years, think Tito Ortiz, John Fitch or Ken Shamrock. I personally believe that we have not seen the last big Page slam in the UFC. However the more pressing question is if Page is crazy or disloyal for walking away from the UFC to play B.A. Baracus?

While I will miss Page in the cage if we have indeed seen the last of him, I have to say that I understand his reasoning. As Page pointed out in his blog- fighters have a limited shelf life and only he knows the wear and tear on his body. If he feels he is done and he can't put his heart in it because he would rather be doing something else- than I support his decision to walk away. Although I respect MMAJUNKIE.com insider John Morgans' opinion. I have to disagree with him on this issue.

Morgan stated on the MMA JUNKIE Radio show that because the UFC had supported Rampage through his legal issues than Rampage should show loyalty to the UFC and live up to his contract to fight in Memphis, Page's hometown. While I see John's point I have to ask who wants to see a Rampage fight when his heart and mind are not in it? Fighting is too hard and all consuming to not be 100% dedicated. All one has to do is look at the demise of Mirko Crocop's career to see what it looks like when a fighter would rather be fishing than fighting. I do not want to see Rampage get into the cage if that is the case.

I also think that Page's reasoning on thinking about life after fighting is sound. Best case scenario the A-Team movie is a hit and spawns big payday sequels ala the Charlies Angels movies. If that is the case and Rampage shines, then maybe, just maybe a career in action- comedies in Hollywood does beckon. Stranger things have happened. Who can blame Page for pursuing his dream?

White says he is tired of fighters that want to act, and he wants fighters that want to fight. While I agree in that I want to see dedicated fighters, what about guys who did give it their all for years and then want to branch out from the sport in their own way as their career winds down. Do we as fans discard these fighters and turn our backs on them? Do we dissrespect the same guys who gave us so much enjoyment when they were laying it on the line in the cage? Rampage says that many fans turned on him when he announced he was backing out of the fight and he cited that as one of the reasons he was leaving the sport. Well, there is at least one fan who understands the logic behind his decision. So good luck Page. I hope to see you in the cage but if not I will see you in the theater.