Pugilists aren’t usually the brightest bulbs in the box, but former UFC champ Rampage Jackson is like a 20-watt about to burn out. He was arrested yesterday after leading police on a Grand Theft Auto type-chase through two cities in Southern California where he hit multiple cars and came close to striking pedestrians, all on three-wheel action because one of his tires blew out. And that wasn’t the stupid part. He did it all while in a truck bearing his likeness all over it. Called us shocked if drugs aren’t involved somehow.

Jackson’s alleged tear stretched from the 55 Freeway through Newport Boulevard down to the Balboa Peninsula, police said. Just before 1:30 p.m., Jackson was getting off the southbound 55 Freeway as it turned into Newport Boulevard in his lifted, gray pick-up truck with his likeness painted on the side, police said. He hit two cars there but continued driving, Lt. Paul Dondero said

“At first I heard sirens right outside my window for maybe a minute,” said Steve De La Torre, a personal trainer who lives near where the chase ended. “Then I heard over the bull horn ‘Get down! Get down!’”

“He was very highly regarded as a fighter for me. It kind of took away a little bit,” De La Torre said. “He seemed like a nice guy, a good guy. Even when he lost, he was humble.”

Yeah, trying to elude police through two counties and hitting a ton of cars in the process shouldn’t just take the shine of your luster “a little bit.” Unless you’re the Duke boys and Boss Hog is after you. Then, by all means, plow away.

Former UFC champ arrested [The Daily Pilot]
Image [TMZ]