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[Cat--Smasher]

Greg Jackson Accepts Responsibility for His Role in Jones vs. Evans Rivalry

For his part, Jackson has no problem taking some of the blame for how it all came to this. He doesn’t back away from the mistakes he made, but he also admits he’s not infallible.

“I always try to take my responsibility in every situation, even if it doesn’t go well. There was a protocol thing that I’ve said before that I said was big, we should have had earlier on, and I think that’s directly and 100-percent my fault that we didn’t have a plan for when this stuff would happen,” Jackson told MMAWeekly Radio.

“I take responsibility on that end of it for sure. We weren’t ready for it. A lot of people had to pay prices for that.”

It wasn’t the first time in his life Jackson made a mistake, and it surely won’t be his last. He’s just sad that it all crumbled apart the way that it did, and now it’s led to Jones and Evans facing off in one of the most heated rivalries in UFC history.

“I’m going to make mistakes. I’m a human being. I’m not perfect at all. It was just an oversight. I didn’t wake up maliciously one morning like I’m going to do this stuff. It was more like I should have done this and in hindsight I can see that. It just wasn’t a reality up until Jon and Rashad,” said Jackson.

“I feel like I could have done that much better. I don’t think Rashad had to react the way he did and things kind of escalated quickly because of that, but it was my fault that I didn’t have a plan for it.”

Because of the escalating situation between Jones and Evans, Jackson has now put in place a series of rules that encompass his team and his fighters should they ever have to face one another again.

The situation actually has already come up again because Carlos Condit will be facing Georges St-Pierre later this year with the UFC welterweight title on the line. Jackson points at those two fighters as the model for how things will be handled in the future.

“We have protocols for that now and it’s exemplified by the fact that Carlos and GSP are fighting each other now and there’s no animosity. They don’t hate each other. There’s no huge deal or any drama, or anything like that. A lot of it is about the reaction of the person,” Jackson commented.

“Georges is still solidly on the team. Carlos is still solidly on the team. Everybody is still one unit, but we’re just going to have these situations where we’re going to have to fight each other now. That goes for any time two people are on the team; I don’t corner either of them. Those are the protocols. There’s others too, but that’s the one that’s important. If you are both members of the team, I’m not going to corner against you.”

Will Jackson and Evans ever mend fences? That’s hard to say at least until after Jones and Evans face off at UFC 145, but Jackson hopes that his former pupil can at least one day shake his hand and move past the hurt feelings.

“I hope so. That will be up to him,” said Jackson about Evans. “I’m certainly willing to let bygones be bygones. I’m never a guy that holds a grudge.”

Greg Jackson Accepts Responsibility for His Role in Jones vs. Evans Rivalry | MMAWeekly.com

[CRisCO]

dude you did the same fucking thing with Diego and GSP. Don't act like this is new for you.

[FedortheCan]

Am I one of the only ones here that doesnt really have a problem with Jackson??? To me these independent trainers are alot like sports agents in NFL and NBA. Would one agent say "Sorry Lebron, I cant represent you since I already have Kobe as a client".... HELL NO. So since Jones sought out Jacksons camp, I have no problem with Jackson taking him in. I also have no problems with Jones taking the title fight when Evans went down. Obviously Jones was ready for the title shot. It sucks for Evans and is bad luck he was injured and couldnt compete and opened the door for Jones, but thats the nature of the beast and just business. I also dont blame Evans wanting to leave. At the end of the day, both parties have to stop this bitch fest and just man up.

[Sakara=Excitement]

Did he ever once say WHAT he was sorry for? He just kept rambling and babbling.

[lwbrewer]

True this was not the 1st time Jackson seen this issue. He just wanted JJ so bad he said screw Rashad since he figured JJ would gain the title and hold it over Rashad.

[Kimbo> Rampage]

To me Jackson found something better in Jones and was fine with pissing off someone that helped build the camp, and Jackson's name. He may have been more looking out for himself, and not necessarily have an ill will towards rashad, but like he said he should have seen this coming.

[Masscore]

I can't wait to see Jackson's face when Evans has the title around his waist. It should be a priceless moment.

[dbader08]

Originally Posted by rampage9712

To me Jackson found something better in Jones and was fine with pissing off someone that helped build the camp, and Jackson's name. He may have been more looking out for himself, and not necessarily have an ill will towards rashad, but like he said he should have seen this coming.

Exactly...and then just sound really nice when talking about the situation, apologize, say your not one to hold a grudge, etc...and then everything should be suga.

[marko]

I love how he doesn't mention that after both Jones and Evans had agreed they wouldn't fight each other when asked in an interview Jones said he'd fight Rashad if the UFC wanted it.

[IceCold48]

This is 110% Jackson's fault and he knows it I wouldn't be surprised if that was his intention all along.