Rampage vs. Maldonado On for UFC 186 After Injunction Lifted
Giving the ravaged UFC 186 fight card new life, a New Jersey court on Tuesday reversed the original injunction that barred Quinton “Rampage” Jackson from fighting at UFC 186 this Saturday.
Rampage broke his contract with Bellator late last year after he felt the promotion had not lived up to the terms of their agreement. Shortly thereafter, he signed with UFC and was scheduled to fight Fabio Maldonado at UFC 186.
Bellator then filed for and, two weeks ago, was granted an injunction to bar Rampage from fighting at Saturday's event in Montreal while their dispute played out in the courts. The UFC moved swiftly and inked former pro hockey player Steve Bosse to fill the void.
RELATED > Bellator Granted Injunction to Bar Rampage Jackson from Fighting at UFC 186
In a rather surprising move on Tuesday, a New Jersey court lifted the injunction, thus allowing Rampage to return to the UFC 186 co-main event slot.
“We are happy with the decision from the New Jersey Court allowing Rampage to fight in Montreal this Saturday night,” UFC President Dana White said. “I am looking forward to seeing Rampage back in the Octagon.”
It was a significant boost to a card that had been ravaged. The original main event rematch between TJ Dillashaw and Renan Barão for the bantamweight champion was nixed due to a Dillashaw injury. Then, Bellator's injunction scratched Rampage's return, leaving the card a shell of its original line-up.
The UFC 186 card now features Demetrious Johnson putting his flyweight belt on the line against Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event, Rampage vs. Maldonado, and Michael Bisping vs. CB Dollaway.
Bosse will not compete on the UFC 186 fight card, according to UFC officials.
