Women`s groups protest UFC`s Quinton `Rampage` Jackson
Posted:
Updated:
By Darlene Hill, FOX 32 News reporter - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
In the world of Mixed Martial Arts, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is the man to watch. His six year run in the UFC will end at the United Center Saturday night after a late night fight, but it's not his punch or kick that has several women's groups upset. They don't want him on the ticket because he made a video on "how to rape a woman."
The video was taken off of You tube after 1,200 hits.
Dawn Dalton with the Battered Women's Network in Chicago says that video shouldn't have been made.
"How is that still acceptable? How is that a behavior or action that makes light of raping a woman? For anyone whose ever been raped or knows someone that's been raped it's bone chilling to think of the realities those people go through," Dalton says.
A number of women's groups are asking the Ultimate Fighting Championship to drop "Rampage" from the competition this weekend. That request has already been denied. Jackson is a big draw for the UFC, but they said when his contract ends Saturday night, it will not be renewed. They say this decision was not because of the video, but because he is difficult to work with.
FOX 32's Darlene Hill talked with UFC COO Lawrence Epstein, who said, "I think the video that was made by Mr. Jackson was inappropriate. I think he has an underdeveloped sense of humor."
He's definitely going to be on the card Saturday night--under our contract with Mr. Jackson and I think it speaks volumes that we won't be working with him on fights going forward."
The groups have asked UFC to hold its nearly 400 athletes accountable by enforcing a code of conduct. Epstein says they will do that and violations will include fines, penalties and community service. Dalton says it's up to the public to make sure of that.
"We can't support folks erred paying to do this work," Dalton says. "To go out and be promoting something that is violence against women."
The fight at the United Center is on FOX Saturday night. FOX corporate has declined to comment on this story.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:37:06 GMT
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.