Rampage Jackson reacts to Anderson Silva's failed UFC drug tests: 'I wished it wasn't true'

When news broke that former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, was popped for steroids befor his UFC 183 fight against Nick Diaz, the mixed martial arts (MMA) community had mixed reactions.

Some, like UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, refused to label "The Spider" a cheater. Others, like Luke Rockhold, had no qualms in giving that title to the former pound-for-pound great.

And many, like UFC President Dana White, were admittedly "screwed up" for days upon catching wind of the bombshell. You can add Quinton Jackson to that list, as he recently stated during his UFC 186 media scrum (video replay here) that he was bummed to hear that Silva failed his drug tests.

"It's just unfortunate. But you know, it's one of those things. I think if fighters take steroids to fight, I don't believe in it. Basketball players, baseball players, they are not contact sports. I don't care nothing about those guys. Fighters and football players, you can hurt people if you take steroids. But I look up to Anderson Silva no matter what. The guy came off one of the worst injuries known to man and he's older in age and stuff like that. So when I heard that, I wished that it wasn't true."

Competing in PRIDE FC prior to making his Octagon debut, "Rampage" is very aware of the fact that many of his overseas opponents may have dabbled with performance-enhancing drugs, thanks to the lack of drug tests. But, he made it perfectly clear that he always restrained from doing so himself.

That's because in his view, having the warrior spirit is more than enough for him to do his job.

"To be honest, when I was in PRIDE, in the rules meeting the first thing they told you was that they didn't test for steroids. I just chose to stay clear because I feel like I have the fighter spirit, the warrior spirit. I don't ever want to have to depend on illegal drugs. Now, if the doctor prescribes me something then that is totally different. But if you have to take something illegal to go in there and perform your job, then I don't agree with that. But that's just me, that's my opinion."

While Quinton has never had any drug test issues, he did have a legal battle with Bellator MMA on his hands before he was allowed to make his UFC return.

But thanks to the court's decision to overturn the injunction (details here), "Rampage" will indeed face Fabio Maldonado in the co-main event of this weekend's (Sat., April 25, 2015) UFC 186 pay-per-view (PPV) event in Montreal, Quebec, Canda.

For more on that fight click here.