Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson is lobbying heavily for another shot at fellow former champion Forrest Griffin. Jackson originally lost a unanimous decision to Griffin back in 2008 at UFC 86.

Though, the fight took place more than 4-years ago, Jackson still harbors a bitter taste in his mouth from the loss.

"Forrest's opponent pulled out," Quinton Jackson told MiddleEasy.com. "Why not just go fight Forrest? I'll fight Forrest and I'll still fight Glover later. Everyone knows I've been gunning for Forrest, because anybody who knows MMA and got a true heart, a real heart, and [is] not a bigot, they know I won that fight. That's real talk."

Recently, Jackson suffered a difficult unanimous decision defeat to Ryan Bader at UFC 144. Coming into the bout, Jackson suffered a knee injury which prevented him from properly preparing for the bout. Consequently, the day of weigh-ins, Jackson came in overweight for the first time in his UFC career, and his lack of training showed as he was lethargic and gassed throughout the three round affair.

Jackson was then booked to face UFC newcomer Glover Teixeira at UFC 153, but an elbow injury forced him from the contest in the weeks leading up to the fight.

Around that time, Griffin was scheduled to face Chael Sonnen at UFC 155, but UFC executives pulled Sonnen to serve as the opposing coach for Jon Jones on the upcoming 17th season of "The Ultimate Fighter."

With Griffin left without an opponent for UFC 155 in December, Jackson quickly campaigned for the bout, however, Phil Davis was chosen over Jackson. A decision that didn't sit well with the UFC veteran who has asked to be released from his UFC contract.

"I feel like everything happens for a reason," Jackson said. "Yes, I'm not happy with the UFC and a lot of fighters aren't happy with the UFC. I'm just the one that keeps it real and talks about it. Leaving the UFC would make me happy. I don't think there's anything they can do to fix it. I don't think they're even willing to fix it.

"I'm not upset with them. The UFC is a great organization, they've done a lot of great, positive things for the sport. It's mainstream now. I can't walk anywhere without people wanting a picture or attention or talking or anything. That's good, that's what people like. I just feel like, honestly, I just wish I could be compensated a little bit more for the privacy that I gave up. People don't understand that. I traded my privacy and my kids' privacy for the living that I'm making now, which is... Football players and basketball players these days, they're making millions!"