.png)
Rampage Jackson, the former UFC light-heavyweight champion, has revealed that he is not interested in being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, unless it comes with a pension. The MMA legend, who has been out of action since losing to Fedor Emelianenko in 2019, said he never fought for fame or recognition, but for his own reasons.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Rampage Jackson discussed his current role as a representative for the United Fight League (UFL), a new promotion that aims to offer health care and shares to all fighters.
He also opened up about his relationship with the UFC, the company that made him a star in the US after his stint in PRIDE.
Rampage Jackson said he has no hard feelings towards the UFC, but he also has no desire to return to the promotion or to be honored by them. He said he would only accept a Hall of Fame induction if it came with a financial benefit, such as a pension.
“I wouldn’t mind being in the Hall of Fame if it came with something like a pension,” Rampage Jackson said. “But it don’t. This is something that people really haven’t grasped about me and why I fight. I never fought to be in the Hall of Fame, I never fought to be famous.”
He added, “Not disrespecting the UFC but I couldn’t care less about a Hall of Fame. In any organization, even if PRIDE had a Hall of Fame, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t, I would accept it. But it’s not like something like ‘Hey put me in the Hall of Fame, put me in the Hall of Fame’, you understand what I’m saying?”
Rampage Jackson, who holds notable wins over Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva and Lyoto Machida, said he fought for his own reasons, such as providing for his family and enjoying the sport. He said he never cared about what other people thought of him or his legacy.