August 26th, 2008 by Justin Barracosa
Last July 15, Quinton Rampage Jackson lived up to his name when he figured in a high-speed, three-car collision, and car chase, prompting the police to arrest him. He now faces multiple felony charges, including felony evading, reckless driving, and hit and run. According to a police witness, Jackson weaved in and out of traffic while talking on his phone. He plowed into the sidewalk narrowly avoiding pedestrians. The ensuing car chase had him evading the authorities, who report that he was involved in at least two more collisions before that one.
One of those who were in Jackson’s path during the rampage, Holli Griggs, 38, of Huntington Beach, California, was 16 weeks pregnant during the time of the incident and suffered a miscarriage. She filed a civil suit against Jackson for hit-and-run.
In light of the new evidence, the arrangement of the former UFC champ was postponed from being originally scheduled on Friday. According to the authorities, it’s an ongoing investigation and that they plan to thoroughly review the evidence whether the charges are fair and accurate.
UFC President Dana White reportedly flew to California immediately to post a $25,000 bail and to formalize UFC’s support to the fighter. She even brought Jackson to a pre-fight news conference for UFC 87 in Minnesota. During the conference, Jackson said, “Everybody goes through a little something. UFC’s got my back. I’m doing good.” Meanwhile, White said the case was being pursued merely to make some quick cash. She added that Jackson was depreived of food and sleep at the time of the incident. “Absolutely not. Absolutely not, this is not a criminal thing,” she concluded.
Jackson won the UFC light-heavyweight title in May 2007. Last month, however, he co-headlined an event with fellow coach Forrest Griffen but lost the championship via unanimous decision.
Leave a Comment »
August 22nd, 2008 by Justin Barracosa
Although nothing formal has been announced, it appears that UFC 91 is beginning to take shape as a solid fight card on November 15 in Portland.
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Kenny Florian will fight Joe “Daddy” Stevenson in a lightweight fight. Although it’s a little disappointing for Florian that he won’t get to fight champion B.J. Penn, that’s the best lightweight fight UFC can put on while Penn plans his move up to welterweight to fight Georges St. Pierre.
Another fight on the card is likely to be Brock Lesnar vs. Cheick Kongo. The Pioneer Press is reporting that Lesnar will fight in November, which must mean the UFC 91 show, and Kongo is everyone’s pick to be his next opponent. Other than the upcoming heavyweight title fight between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir, Lesnar-Kongo is the biggest heavyweight fight UFC can put together.
And then there’s Wanderlei Silva, who ought to get back into the Octagon soon, seeing as he’s only had one fight in 2007 and it was a fight he won with a 36-second knockout. Silva had indicated that he would fight on the final UFC show of the year, December 27, but White says Silva isn’t likely to fight on that show, which probably means Silva will be fighting at UFC 91. UFC has so many good light heavyweights that they’re pretty much guaranteed of giving Silva a good opponent, but if it’s Rampage Jackson, as some have speculated, that would be fantastic.
All in all, it doesn’t appear that we’ll get to see a title fight at UFC 91, but it does appear that a good show is shaping up.
6 Comments »
August 11th, 2008 by Justin Barracosa
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays reinstated outfielder Shannon Stewart from the disabled list and released him outright on Monday.
Stewart, 34, a 1992 first-round draft choice of the Blue Jays, appeared in 52 games this season for Toronto, hitting .240 with four doubles, two triples, a home run and 14 RBIs.
Stewart was placed on the disabled list June 8 after suffering a sprained right ankle. In eight games on medical rehab, he collected six hits in 22 at-bats.
Toronto selected Stewart in the first round, 19th overall, in the ‘92 amateur draft. He spent parts of eight seasons with the Blue Jays before being traded to Minnesota for Bobby Kielty in 2003. Stewart played in 855 games with Toronto, hitting .301 with 218 doubles, 73 home runs and 163 stolen bases.
Stewart signed with the Oakland A’s prior to the ‘07 campaign and finished his one season with the club hitting .290 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 146 games.
Stewart returned to Toronto on Feb. 24, 2008, signing a minor-league deal. The move was surprising, considering the Blue Jays had re-signed left-fielder Reed Johnson.
But the Jays released Johnson and had Stewart platoon with Fredericton’s Matt Stairs in left field. Toronto purchased Stewart’s contract from triple-A Syracuse on March 30.
With files from CP
3 Comments »
