‘Rampage’ Pleads Guilty

The legal drama surrounding Quinton “Rampage” Jackson took a twist on Jan. 8, as the fighter pleaded guilty to a felony and misdemeanor charge. Jackson faced charges after leading police in Costa Mesa, Calif., on a delirium-induced high-speed chase in July, sideswiping several cars and driving the wrong way on streets and sidewalks in his massive truck. Jackson faced charges of evading police and driving recklessly but will not see jail time, as long as he complies with court-ordered conditions that include performing 200 hours of community service, paying restitution and attending mental health therapy. Under a plea agreement, Jackson could get six months in prison if he fails to comply with the terms before a Jan. 7, 2010 sentencing date. Jackson originally faced up to three years in prison.

In an appearance on Sherdog.com’s “Beatdown” radio three days prior to the plea, Jackson -- who knocked out rival Wanderlei Silva on Dec. 27 -- sounded in his highest spirits in recent memory. While not addressing the charges specifically, Jackson said he learned last year that “the world is a crazy place.” The police chase incident came the week after Jackson lost his light heavyweight title in a five-round war with Forrest Griffin at UFC 86. Jackson is now considered next in line for a shot at champion Rashad Evans, a belief reinforced by UFC President Dana White in an interview with ESPN The Magazine’s Web site.

In his most direct comments on the episode, Jackson told The Orange County Register after a court appearance in August that he was racing to a friend’s house when the incident took place. Jackson said he believed the friend would die if the friend did not watch a DVD called “The Secret” -- which Jackson had loaned him -- all the way through to the end. Jackson also said then that it was the betrayal of another friend, thought to be former trainer Juanito Ibarra, and not the Griffin loss that caused him to fast and not sleep for several days prior the traffic incident. Jackson told the same newspaper that he pleaded guilty to “accept responsibility for what I’ve done. I put people in harm’s way.”