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[jesusatemyhotdog]

Source: www.sherdog.com
Brash light heavyweight Quinton Jackson (Pictures), whose promotional contract was recently purchased by Zuffa, signed a two-fight deal with the UFC on Friday, Sherdog.com has learned.

"Rampage" will make his UFC debut Feb. 3 on pay-per-view versus Las Vegan Marvin Eastman (Pictures), Jackson's manager and trainer Juanito Ibarra confirmed Friday evening.

Jackson's deal, which runs through July 2007, reads similar to the one he signed with the World Fighting Alliance in March, including bonuses for pay-per-view and other ancillary items not normally associated with UFC deals.

Ibarra declined to divulge any financial terms, and said he doesn't expect Jackson to fight UFC champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures) before July. The UFC has the right to match any offer Jackson fields when his contract expires, Ibarra said.

In just the third bout of his career, Jackson (25-6-0) lost to Eastman (13-6-1) by decision in a King of the Cage-promoted contest. The 28-year-old from Memphis, Tenn. would eventually star in Japan's PRIDE Fighting Championships, where he lost two epic wars against champion Wanderlei Silva (Pictures). It was also in Japan that Jackson scored his career-defining stoppage over Liddell during a PRIDE Grand Prix semifinal bout in 2003.

Because of that victory, it was long believed that Jackson was a target of the UFC. Yet when "Rampage" joined the WFA, a rematch seemed unlikely. That immediately changed after the UFC purchased fighter contracts from the struggling promotional company's stable; UFC president Dana White said in media reports that Jackson was impetus for the acquisitions.

Jackson will be in Las Vegas next weekend to watch Liddell defend his title against Tito Ortiz (Pictures).

Nice to see the Beastman in the Octagon as well.

[baba]

Only a 2 fight deal huh? That kinda sucks. A warm up, Chuck, and then if he loses he's done?

And I don't think Eastman at this point in his career will put up a very good fight against Rampage. I hope I'm wrong.

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

I think either way we will see Rampage and Chuck in the UFC/

couldnt agree more...dana white isnt going to sign rampage to ufc without giving the fans a rampage/liddell 2. that would just be retarted

[Salvy_Mic]

It'd be embarassing though, if Rampage somehow loses to Eastman, who is probably most well remembered by UFC fighters as the guy who got completely (axe) murdered by Vitor Belfort, and displayed the most awesome of glass jaws against Travis Lutter, of all people.

[ArMnHC]

i dont think Eastman stands a chance here. Rampage vs. Chuck II will happen at some point in 2007. if Tito beats Chuck, then they should make it happen!

[btp]

i'd laugh my ass of if this turns out like pulver lauzon

[Dork8503]

i dont think they wanted to sign a long term deal with rampage until they see how the fans react to him, and what kind of draw he is going to have, once that gets figured im sure ufc will give him a longer contract

[b0sH]

No I think Dana has the 2 fight deal to build him up, I dont think the second will be vs Chuck. I think that Dana will use the Chuck fight to force Rampage to sign another 3 fight deal in order to get the title shot, assuming Chuck is still the champ.

[Punk Ass]

Dana is smart for signing him to a 2 fight deal. It's not like Rampage hasn't disapointed us before. Dana just doesn't want to play all his cards on one deck. And what if Rampage does lose to eastman bad?? And then loses to Chuck, then Dana will be stuck with a has been washed up fighter.

BTW, I think Rampage will have 2 tune up fights before he fights chuck. I think this is to see where he stands and after that, a long term contract.

[Dan0]

Originally Posted by dork8503

i dont think they wanted to sign a long term deal with rampage until they see how the fans react to him, and what kind of draw he is going to have, once that gets figured im sure ufc will give him a longer contract

I think the fans will like him because he IS the most quotable fighter in MMA (funny quotable).