Dana White could not believe the reason for Quinton 'Rampage' to reject a fight in 2009.
The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion was one of the brightest stars of the best promotion in the late 2000s. Jackson became familiar with a clean Ko of Chuck Liddell in 2007 and although his title line was perhaps short -lived on just over a year, the star of 'Rampage' still cleared clearly.
Jackson returned from a title loss to Forrest Griffin with back-to-back victories over Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine before he received the call to coach 'The Ultimate Fighter 10' opposite rival Rashad Evans.
Before their milestone resorting competition took place on UFC 114, Evans and Jackson were the target to fight on UFC 107 months earlier – a fight that Jackson refused for a chance of a life in Hollywood.
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Rampage Jackson: 'I once made a movie for a fight'
Jackson had a rocky relationship with the UFC in 2009 and De Jager says it got worse after he had recorded an acting career, one that would be demolished after one of the main roles in the A-Team (2010). In the reboot of the iconic series, Jackson played as 'Ba Baracus' (played by Mr. T in the original).
“Then our relationship went to the south,” said Jackson about UFC boss Dana White in an interview with Chris van Vliet.
“I once took a movie for a fight. A-team …”
“That was the most difficult decision I had to make in my career,” said Jackson.
“Because I really want to fight in Memphis in my hometown, and I really have the feeling that if I had fought against Rashad at that time, I would hurt his feelings badly. I would have beaten him up, just being there in my hometown.
“I've always wanted to fight in my hometown,” Jackson added.
White later said that he was 'real, really upset' that Jackson was not fighting Evans on UFC 107 and said: “If you prefer to be on the set of 'The A-Team', then you certainly do not belong in the Octagon.” (via Las Vegas Sun)
Rampage Jackson says that he did not do 'the A-Team' for the money
While Jackson played the leading role alongside Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper and Sharlto Copley, the hunter was brutally honest about the wage difference between the UFC and acting – it was not great.
“I lost money to do that film to be honest,” said Jackson.
“I have paid less than 10% of what I get paid for a fight.
“I did it because I am a big fan of it,” Jackson explained.
“I like to make films. I am a big child and I hoped to get more film roles afterwards. I can only say that the manager I had finished at that time – idiot, and he thought it was a good idea to sign with the same agency that represented the UFC.
“I have no longer received film offers …”
Thinking about the decision to put the UFC on hold for the A-Team, to Dana White's great aversion, Jackson says that it is not a decision he regrets for a core reason.
“I don't think it's a bad decision because a team, it brought my father and I closer,” said the former champion.
“Me and my father, we have always been around, but when I was young, that's one of the ways in which my father and I have a band. We watched a team together and so. I have never been a real big fan of anyone, but I have always been a big fan of the A-Team and Mr. T.
“I was one of his greatest fans. It was like something personal for me to do the film.”
Jackson went on.
“My father went through a bad patch in his life with alcohol and so as I got older and he is straight and narrow again and so I brought him to the set and he became a big child and things like that.
“It was abundant for my father. And my father, he talks about it is one of the best times he has ever had because he has never been to Canada. He has not been anywhere. He is on the set and sees the A-Team film and things like that.
“My father had a great time,” said Jackson.