ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Rampage Jackson’s Bellator debut ended in a hurry when the former UFC star dropped Joey Beltran with a second left in the first round to win by knockout Friday night.
In his first fight outside the UFC banner since 2006, Jackson connected on a series of left hooks to send Beltran to the mat. Jackson finished him off at the 4:59 mark, then threw back his head for his signature howl.
The arena darkened as Jackson made his way to the cage with a scowl.
He took the microphone after the light heavyweight bout and yelled “I’m back! I’m back!” to an appreciative crowd at Revel Resort casino’s Ovation Hall.
Jackson won his first MMA fight since he beat Matt Hamill by unanimous decision on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130.
