On July 15th, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson was arrested in Costa Mesa California after a chaotic police chase in his signature Ford F-350 monster truck. According to reports he was eventually apprehended at gunpoint and charged with felony evading, hit-and-run, and reckless driving. Like many Rampage fans I was wondering what went wrong with Quinton?

There were no injuries or deaths reported until August 1st when the Costa Mesa Newspaper “Daily Pilot” stated that a 38 year old woman who was 4 months pregnant and whose vehicle was reportedly struck by Jacksons truck, recently had a miscarriage. This could lead to possible charges of involuntary manslaughter. In other words Jacksons MMA career could be jeopardy. 

To Dana Whites credit he immediately flew down to bail out Jackson for a crisp $25,000. In a radio interview the next day White said, "... I've been dealing with this all day yesterday, I haven't really gotten to the bottom of this yet...,” he said, “...Rampage is very religious.....I want to find out what's wrong with Rampage and get him taken care of."

I believe this was both good PR sense and a sign of his genuine concern for Jackson. If you’re the CEO of a company you have to protect your product because there is always someone out there trying uncap Tylenol bottles or put chopped fingers in your Wendy’s chili (really…Google it).  But dealing with human beings is a little tricky. One day after being released from jail Jacksons friends called 911 and had Rampage taken to a hospital for an ‘evaluation’ after he appeared to be a danger to himself and others.

Its not unusual for athletes to do something crazy or criminal. Mike Tyson and the Minnesota Vikings are and example. I think Jackson and the UFC should be handled with caution because the Rampage road rage was a little bigger than Chuck Liddell getting sleepy and White appears to understand this.

Later in a 'Yahoo Sports MMA' interview by Steve Cofield, White stated, "I think it's going to be a while before we get him back. I'm talking as a friend. It's a sensitive issue. Rampage, the UFC fighter, who cares about that. We're concerned about Rampage, the human being. What matters is his personal life…….He was up for four days and he was doing some crazy fasting thing. He was up for four days, drinking water and energy drinks, that was it. It's not good."

The good news is that Rampage was clean and everything boiled down to a religious delirium brought on by nutritional deficiency brought on by fasting and energy drinks.  No drugs. No alcohol. Not even OJ.  Oddly though this isn't the first time Jackson has been acting weird. In a 2005 article on sherdog.com by Josh Gross he talks about Jacksons religious delusions and his strange beliefs about fasting that ultimately cost him the title at Pride. 

Gross writes,

“That’s when Jackson came across the article on the Internet that suggested fasting would help him “fend off the devil.” Three days of avoiding food was recommended. Oh, and he was supposed to keep the process to himself. “It helped me out spiritually a lot,” said Jackson, discussing it for the first time. “But I didn’t know it was going to take my energy. I thought I was going to be fine. I didn’t think it was going to effect my fight at all because I was fighting in four days.” After an impressive opening round in which he hurt Silva, the toll of not eating for three days became obvious. Colin Oyama, Jackson’s trainer, noticed his fighter slowing five minutes into the championship contest. Only later—after Jackson endured a savage knockout that resulted in his being suspended, unconscious, between the ropes—did Oyama find out why [Jackson] could not fight like he prepared. So upset was Oyama that it took “a while” before Jackson’s trainer and friend could bring himself to speak with the fighter.”

So that’s why Jackson lost to Wanderlei Silva. He was fending off devils for three days! Basically as I read it, in order to remain a good Christian, every time Jackson sins he has been fasting to get right with God. And in place of food he tries water or energy drinks!?

First high doses of caffeine(or Taurine) not only gives you the shakes but it causes anxiety attacks, increases irritability, and in some people heart palpitations. Some countries have actually banned energy drinks because of potential side effects. Personally I always have an energy drink with a meal and I'm fine, but never on an empty stomach.

Second, I’m fairly educated in both history and theology and I know of no legitimate Christian doctrine in any respectable denomination that states fasting will ‘fend off devils’. Rampage should attend a different church and get that garbage out of his head. Eat steak, drink beer, and kick ass! Any pastor worth his weight would agree.

If you believe you have to fend off devils then read the whole New Testament, one chapter a day(James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” ) and go to church, and pray instead of reading ‘internet’ theology and getting jacked on caffeine.

In addition to all of this, some rumors continue to swirl about a conflict between Jackson and his trainer Juanito Ibarra after the loss to Griffin, but the only information to come out is a Aug 5th statement by Ibarra on mmajunkie.com, “I've not sat down with Quinton to this day to discuss things. I pray for his well-being....and I wish him nothing but the best….."

Despite rumors of Rampage fighting this November, its my opinion that Dana White should suspend Jackson for 6 months for his own safety and health and for the UFC and call Rev Billy Graham to talk with him about his theology. The UFC has been gaining so much momentum for the past 10 years and with the increased competition there is simply no room for this kind of problem. Especially when so many people enjoy watching Jackson fight. When he is ready and the legal matters have been cleared let him fight again in 2009.

No more RockStar. No more bad Religion.