5 Fights We'd Like to See Quinton Jackson in Should He Make a UFC Return

Quinton Jackson has only made three appearances with Bellator MMA, but he seems to already have regrets about leaving the world's top MMA promotion.

Last month, Rampage posted a message on his Twitter that suggested he isn't happy with his current situation on the Bellator MMA roster. The former UFC champion hasn't expanded on his comment, but it appears possible Jackson could entertain an eventual return to the Octagon.

"

Just a thought.. But I've learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc

— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) November 18, 2014"

On Monday, Bellator MMA figurehead Scott Coker told Ariel Helwani and MMAFighting.com that he still expects Rampage to continue competing with his organization. So, Jackson making a UFC return could still be a long shot, but it no longer seems to be out of the question.

Should he eventually make his way back to the Octagon, here are the five most intriguing matchups available to Jackson as a UFC fighter.

Fabio Maldonado

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Wrestling was once one of Jackson's biggest strengths, but he's fallen in love with boxing. So, it stands to reason that the most interesting UFC matchups for Rampage are ones with fellow boxers.

He doesn't have the name value that others on this list do, but Fabio Maldonado has a style that would guarantee an entertaining bout with Jackson. Maldonado has the ability to take a punch and wouldn't be afraid to return fire at the former UFC champion.

Fighting Maldonado wouldn't vault Rampage into title contention or anything, but it could be a good way for him to re-enter the UFC light heavyweight division. With the pace Maldonado tends to set, it's also a matchup that would test Jackson's often-questioned conditioning.

Rafael Cavalcante

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If the UFC would opt to start Jackson out closer to the top, it would do well to match him up with former Strikeforce champion Rafael Cavalcante.

With a 1-2 UFC record, Cavalcante hasn't performed well inside the Octagon. However, he's a noteworthy name who will box with Jackson.

The Brazilian has 10 MMA wins, and they have all come via knockout. A battle between Cavalcante and Rampage would almost certainly turn into a heavy-hitting boxing match.

Roy Nelson

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Weight hasn't been a huge concern for Rampage recently, as he met Joey Beltran at a catchweight in his Bellator MMA debut.

More than anything lately, Jackson just wants to trade bungalows. Who better to do that with than Roy Nelson, one of the better bungalow throwers in the heavyweight class?

Nelson could stand to drop a few pounds and meet Rampage at some catchweight. The matchup would give Nelson a chance to see whether a move to light heavyweight would be a good idea.

Mauricio Rua

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It's been nearly a decade since Mauricio Rua knocked Rampage out of the 2005 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix.

Now, much has changed, and the light heavyweight legends are at a similar stage in their long MMA careers. Should Jackson return to the Octagon, a rematch could be a strong possibility.

Jackson has mostly been concerned with putting on entertaining fights recently. There aren't many better than Rampage vs. Shogun.

Dan Henderson

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When Rampage last met Dan Henderson seven years ago, Hendo was still utilizing his wrestling heavily. Nowadays, Henderson is almost exclusively looking to land his H-Bomb.

It wouldn't be nearly as meaningful as their initial clash, which was a merging of UFC and Pride FC belts, but a rematch between Hendo and Rampage could be more entertaining.

At 44 years old, Henderson is nearing the end of his illustrious MMA career. What better way to go out than with a chance to avenge one of his biggest losses?