Thursday afternoon at the UFC press conference at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, UFC president Dana White laid out the company’s plans for future fight sights.
One such location is Canada.
“We have two more states that we need to get done, New York and Massachusetts,” said White. “Canada is very important to us, very important to us. After we get New York and Massachusetts done, we’re moving up into Canada and opening up places in Canada, probably Toronto first.”
Accompanying White to the podium was Quinton (Rampage) Jackson, who appeared his old, jovial self, despite the fact he is currently embroiled in a variety of legal problems. Jackson was more than happy to step up to the microphone and thank White for all of his support.
“Dana is all over my back, all of the time,” said Jackson. “Did you eat? Did you sleep? (Are) you drinking water? Like I’m two years old. “I love Dana. He was the first one there to take care of me, to show me his love. That’s all I needed was for someone to show me love,” added the former UFC light-heavyweight champion.
White attempted to explain the circumstances that led Jackson to his recent arrest, while hinting at when he may make a return to the Octagon.
“Rampage lost the fight to Forrest (Griffin),” White explained. “He hung out in Vegas for a week. He was hanging out by the pool and he was fasting. He wasn’t drinking (alcohol) and he wasn’t eating. He was drinking energy drinks and you saw what happened on TV and the problems that he had.”
Jackson was arrested in California after his pickup truck was involved in a number of collisions with other vehicles along a highway and he was seen driving along a median. His arrest was caught on video after police were forced to pursue his vehicle before he eventually pulled over and gave himself in.
He was charged with felony evading, reckless driving and hit-and-run and released on $25,000 bail, which was posted by White. After making bail, Jackson was later picked up and admitted for mental observation after he appeared to be acting erratically.
“They took him in for psychiatric evaluation for 72 hours, and what they came back with, was that there was nothing wrong with him mentally, it was physically,” White said. “He was exhausted. Severe dehydration and that caused something called delirium.”
Jackson, standing behind White while mimicking the president’s hand motions on the podium, caused him to smile and chuckle.
“Apparantly they tell us he is healthy”, said a smiling White. “He is healthy, mentally and physically and will back in the UFC soon.”
This weekend’s UFC main event will see Canadian Georges St. Pierre defend his welterweight title against Jon Fitch. Although White knows Fitch is the current opponent at GSP’s doorstep, he mentioned that B.J. Penn, the UFC’s lightweight champion, lurks on the horizon for the Montreal native.
“He wants to fight GSP,” said White. “If GSP wins (holds on to) the title. GSP has a win over him. He wants to try and beat GSP. I don’t think he’d move up if Fitch won.”
While St. Pierre’s focus remains on Fitch, he knows full well that he has a rematch with Penn.
“I’m not thinking about BJ Penn right now,” said St. Pierre. “I’m thinking about Jon Fitch. He’s my main concern. We’ll see after the fight, depending on the outcome.”
