Coach trip: Quinton Jackson responds to criticisms

Thursday, October 15, 2009 | Print Entry

Posted by Jake Rossen/Sherdog.com

Spike's "The Ultimate Fighter" has recorded as many cases of career self-destruction as success stories: For every Forrest Griffin or Diego Sanchez, there's a Jason Thacker or Gabe Ruediger, more punchline than puncher. While part of the blame falls on the athlete, producers can take a fleeting moment of bad behavior and turn it into a six-episode running narrative.

The latest alleged victim of the show's character assassination: Quinton Jackson, who disputed on his members-only blog his portrayal on the series.

"They edited the show to make me look like I didn't care about my team …" he wrote. "I just talked to them back in the locker room, in private. Rashad thought the show was about him, about how good of a coach he could be and how fake he could be."

All clear now? Jackson has been leaving his fighters unconscious and bleeding in the Octagon while shaking his head ringside because the show should be about them, not the coaches.

Jackson's argument might make some sense if Evans had been jumping in the cage to administer first aid and oxygenbut he wasn't. He was simply doing the humane thing and offering physical and emotional support to a downed athlete. (In several cases, to Jackson's own downed athlete.)

As we've seen in seasons past, the ability to beam your heel persona into millions of homes every week tends to affect the crowd reaction during a live event. Junie Browning wasn't booed because of a bad dye job.

If and when Jackson decides to fight again, he'd better hope the UFC is ready to return to his own Memphis. Otherwise, his training camp should include learning how to dodge beer cups.

I just hate writers who criticize hardworking fighters personal problems for the sole purpose of making money...

They analyze their sayings in detail as if it were all a contest of making the most sense of an internet post...

(F-word) FIGHTER-CRITICS!

I think that show edits are slightly biased against Rampage due to his conflict with Dana. However if he sorts it out before season ending we might suddenly see him in different light. I have good opinion on him after watching him in previous coach role in TUF and this won't make me feel different.
It should be remembered that producers have final say and we know who the producers are.

True... Very...

Yeah its possible that Dana has told them to make some changes, but personally I think Rampages picking on "titties" and similar stuff belong in a kindergarden... I like the guy, he is funny, and he is a good fighter, but hell if I would want him as a coach! I would rather be in Rashads camp, anyone dissagree?