Report: Bellator’s Scott Coker Says “Rampage” Jackson Dispute Handed to Lawyers, “King Mo” Lawal Calls Latter a “Joke”
By FCF Staff
Following the news that the UFC has signed “Rampage” Jackson, Bellator’s President Scott Coker said the promotion would protect their “contractual rights”, and it looks like they’ve begun that process.
Jackson and his camp have claimed that Bellator didn’t fulfil its contractual obligations, and as a result, the light-heavyweight terminated his contract. In a follow up report from MMA Fighting.com, however, Coker confirmed that Bellator has handed the matter over to its legal team.
Coker added that he could not comment further, on advisement of the promotion’s attorneys, but noted MMA has encountered similar situations in the past.
Jackson’s rival, “King Mo” Lawal, competed in a grappling event this past weekend in New York, and when asked to comment on the “Rampage” situation, he stated (quote via MMA Fighting):
“It’s not going to happen,” Lawal said. “[Jackson]’s under contract. If he does end up fighting in the UFC, good luck, but he won’t fight for a year because he’ll be in court. He’s a joke.”
Jackson and Lawal fought in May, and the latter lost the bout via a controversial, unanimous decision. Jackson has not competed since.
Lawal defeated Rolles Gracie at the “Grapple at the Garden” event, which took place at Madison Square Gardens in New York.