Rampage Jackson: “I don’t know if I can compete with the top guys anymore”

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Rarely do we see an athlete so open and honest about their performances, but the unexpected is to be expected from Quinton Jackson. After Rampage’s defeat at the hands of Glover Teixeira on FOX Saturday night, the former light heavyweight champion and all-around legend to the sport of MMA might have finally come to grips with the fact that he’s no longer among the sport’s elite. He spoke to Ariel Helwani on Fuel TV post-fight:

“I don’t know if I can compete with the top people,”  “It’s my first time I’ve lost three fights in a row. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to go back to the drawing board and work on everything. I feel like I can come back if I set my mind to it, but right now if anyone picks me up, that’s my marketing pitch — hey I’ll put on a great show for you.”

It’s unknown if that show will be Spike TV’s Bellator or if Rampage will re-sign with the UFC after completing his contract Saturday night. One thing’s for certain, by the crowds of people screaming his name, even outside the top ten, Rampage is still a huge draw – a huge draw that will still ask for top-dollar money when competing. Will Spike be willing to pay out up $250k a year for a Rampage Jackson who is on a 3-fight skid? Rampage seems to believe he’ll be worth it.

“The game has changed. Maybe I can be one of those mid-range fighters who are exciting for the fans. I don’t know if I can compete with the top guys anymore. Maybe I can come back if I get my mind right.”

“I think that this is my reality and I have to see what’s next. I’ve been fighting for 13 years and the game has changed a lot. I might just be one of those fighters that come in and excite the crowd — be like Gary Goodridge. One of those guys who just comes out and puts on a great show. Gary Goodridge is a great ambassador for the sport and he taught me a long time ago that it’s all about the show. I’m just going out there and try to entertain the fans. I’ll be one of those middle range fighters. If someone wants to pick me up and somebody is going to put on an exciting fight for the fans.”

Considering the ridiculous amount of great memories Page has given us throughout the years, we’re not ready to say goodbye either, but at 42 pro fights, the clock is ticking on his career.