In an interview with Steve Cofield, Rampage explains that it was a financial decision on his part to coach The Ultimate Fighter against Rashad Evans rather than taking an immediate title fight against Lyoto Machida.
Key quote:
Sure, Jackson respects the title belt. But he’s also trying to make a living and a Machida fight is small potatoes compared to the gains from a successful season on "The Ultimate Fighter." And now that crossover star Kimbo Slice is part of the show, Jackson has dollar signs in his eyes.
"Those people don’t walk in my shoes," Jackson said in response to claims that he fears Machida. "They don’t put food on my table. They don’t set up college funds for my kids. I’m not afraid of nobody. If they use their common sense, they can see what my game plan is."
Jackson said Machida will be around after he beats Rashad Evans. And frankly, Machida isn’t a big enough name to draw monster pay-per-view numbers right now. Oh, that doesn’t matter? It does when most of your money comes from the back end of the pay-per-view.
"I make most of my money off of pay-per-view. When you do 'The Ultimate Fighter,' it’s going to help your pay-per-view numbers."
You can't really fault Rampage's reasoning here, coaching TUF, particularly with Kimbo Slice on the show will definitely raise his profile. Plus he's already started developing a heated feud with Rashad Evans -- himself a former TUF winner.
Meanwhile Machida will either consolidate his reign against Shogun Rua or lose the title and allow Rampage a revenge match against another hated Chute Boxe star.
The only snag in Rampage's plan is named Rashad Evans. Its by no means a given that Rampage will be able to beat the dangerous Rashad -- himself a skilled wrestler with KO power as a kickboxer and considerable quickness. If Rampage loses to Rashad and Machida KO's Shogun, the entire division will be in a mess as no one will want to see a quick rematch of Machida and Evans.
