Champion is held after police chase

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, a former light-heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, was arrested Tuesday after leading police on a chase from Costa Mesa to Newport Beach, authorities said.

Police said Jackson, who lives in Irvine, left a chaotic scene in his wake, hitting at least three cars and driving on the sidewalk with a blown tire.

The incident started just after 1 p.m., when Jackson drove a pickup into cars near 19th street and the 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa and drove away, police said.

A motorcycle officer then spotted Jackson driving with a flat left-front tire while talking on a cellphone and weaving in and out of traffic, said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Vic Bakkila.

At one point, Jackson lost control and drove up on a sidewalk where people were walking, police said.

When he regained control, he continued south in the northbound lanes of Newport Boulevard.

Jackson crashed into a third car near Newport Boulevard and 17th Street and continued driving, running several red lights, police said.

A few minutes later, near 18th Street and Newport Boulevard in Newport Beach, Jackson stopped and Costa Mesa officers took him into custody without incident.

He faces charges of felony evading arrest, reckless driving and hit and run. He was being held at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.