In a surprising move on Tuesday, a judge in the Superior Court of New Jersey’s Appellate Division overturned Bellator’s injunction against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson from fighting at UFC 186 on Saturday.
Following the decision made in a New Jersey court room, the UFC has announced that Jackson will meet Fabio Maldonado in a catchweight bout of 215 pounds in the co-main event of the fight card.
“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.”
Prior to the announcement of Jackson being back on the UFC 186 fight card, a Bellator official released a statement to MMAFighting.com and the promotion still maintains that they believe the initial ruling was correct.
“We are gratified that the Appellate Division did not disturb part of the Chancery Division order enjoining Jackson, but are disappointed that they reversed the injunction as to the April 25 fight,” Bellator said in a statement to MMA Fighting. “We continue to believe that Judge Suter’s decision was thorough, well reasoned and correct, and are evaluating our options.”
With Jackson back on the card, Steve Bosse is no longer on the event and the updated UFC 186 fight card is below.
Main Card: (PPV – 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Demetrious Johnson (21-2-1) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (15-1)
Quinton Jackson (35-11) vs. Fabio Maldonaldo (22-7)
Michael Bisping (25-7) vs. C.B. Dolloway (15-6)
John Makdessi (12-3) vs. Shane Campbell (11-2)
Thomas Almeida (17-0) vs. Yves Jabouin (20-9)
Preliminary Card: (Fox Sports 1 – 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)
Patrick Cote (20-9) vs. Joe Riggs (40-15, 1NC)
Sarah Kaufman (17-2, 1NC) vs. Alexis Davis (16-6)
Chad Laprise (10-0) vs. Bryan Barberena (10-2)
Olivier Aubin-Mercier (6-1) vs. David Michaud (8-1)
Preliminary Card: (Fight Pass – 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT)
Nordine Taleb (10-2) vs. Chris Clements (12-5, 1NC)
Jessica Rakoczy (1-4) vs. Valerie Letourneau (6-3)
Aisling Daly (15-5) vs. Randa Markos (4-2)