‘Rampage’ pleads not guilty

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship title holder Quinton “Rampage” Jackson pleaded not guilty this morning to three hit-and-run charges and two felony counts of recklessly evading police.

Jackson, out of custody on $25,000 bail, was arrested July 15 after Costa Mesa police say they chased him from Newport Boulevard and 18th Street, where an officer had tried to stop him for driving on a flat tire and weaving through traffic while talking on his cell phone. Authorities say Jackson hit two vehicles on the southbound 55 Freeway and fled before hitting one more car during his chase with police.

Jackson, who trains in Huntington Beach, had lost his UFC light heavyweight title 10 days before. UFC President Dana White has said Jackson had not slept or eaten and had only been drinking energy drinks leading up to his arrest. Jackson faces up to three years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Jackson’s pretrial date is scheduled for Oct. 9.

More to come later in the day.