Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will be featured in an upcoming Nike commercial with LeBron James and other star athletes, according to Throwdown, an MMA apparel and products company that sponsors Jackson.

The move continues a trend of mixed martial arts moving into the mainstream. Just last week, two major moves were announced, as CBS inked a deal with Elite XC which will mark the first time the sport is shown on network television. A day later, the UFC announced a three-year contract with Anheuser-Busch that would make Bud Light a major sponsor of the organization.

Jackson became the champion in May 2007 when he knocked out longtime titleholder Chuck Liddell. He's since defended the belt with a unanimous decision win over Dan Henderson at UFC 75. He broke his hand in the bout, and while recovering from the injury, filmed the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter as one of the coaches. He is next scheduled to fight No. 1 contender Forrest Griffin in July.

The charismatic Jackson has also been recently building up an acting resume. He has parts in three upcoming feature films, a crime thriller called Bad Guys, a horror film called Midnight Meat Train, based on a Clive Barker short story and co-starring Vinnie Jones, Brooke Shields and Leslie Bibb, and an action film titled Death Warrior, with Nick Nolte and Armand Assante.

A message to Nike regarding Jackson's deal was not immediately returned.

MORE FROM MMA

MMA Section Front

Little-known Petruzelli destroys Kimbo Slice Ludwig avenges loss to Morgan in Strikeforce A photographic look at the career of Kimbo Slice Affliction fighters hope new partnership thrives Knee injury to sideline Velasquez until 2009 Arlovski brings star power to EliteXC card Blaine takes 2 gut shots from Kimbo in stunt Silva's manager says champ will retire at 35 Kimbo, Shamrock carry EliteXC's hopes to cage Tanner Memorial Fund established MMA Section Front   Add MMA headlines to your news reader: