UFC Veteran Alters Retirement Strategy, Decides to Continue Competition
Former UFC fighter Damon Jackson, with a 23-8-1 record in MMA and a 6-6-1 mark in the UFC, initially thought he was done competing following a first-round submission loss to Jim Miller at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden. However, the 36-year-old has had a change of heart.
Jackson spoke with MMA Junkie about his decision, stating, "I'm not done, man – I’m really not." He continues, "I’ve been in the gym doing two- and three-a-days just like normal... I’m still in it 100 percent, it’s just mentally I really checked out that night and it was an overload, really. But I’m not done. I just need to figure out the path to what I want to do next. But I’m not done fighting, for sure."
The Madison Square Garden card is significant for any fighter lucky enough to be involved. It appears that Jackson was eager to compete while dealing with some outside challenges leading up to the fight.
"It was a very emotional night," Jackson shared. "I’ve had a lot going on this past two or three years that I haven’t really shared with anyone. I kind of kept it to myself, and I’ve just had a lot going on. It was very frustrating to go out there and be on that stage and to go out there and lose that way, a way that I’ve prided myself in with my jiu-jitsu, with my wrestling. To go out there and take a loss like that, it was just really frustrating – so surprising and so shocking. I couldn’t even really comprehend the fact that I just lost."
Jackson, who most recently secured a split-decision victory over Anthony Hernandez in April, still has three fights remaining on his UFC contract. Jackson has discussed his contract with UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby and feels confident in his ability to finish it, allowing him to continue his fighting career.
In the future, Jackson might be a suitable opponent for someone like Tony Ferguson or Cub Swanson, provided the UFC grants Ferguson permission to compete again. Jackson has primarily fought at featherweight but suffered a loss at lightweight against Miller. If he can make the 145-pound weight class once more, a matchup against Swanson could make sense.
If Ferguson or Swanson is unavailable, Jackson may face an up-and-coming fighter looking to prove themselves as they climb the rankings. Throughout his career, Jackson has also competed for organizations like LFA, Bellator, the UFC, and the Professional Fighters League.
Over the course of his 13-fight UFC run, Jackson has squared off against some of the division's top talents, including Miller, Mirsad Bektic, Ilia Topuria, Charles Rosa, Dan Ige, Yancy Medeiros, and Billy Quarantillo. Unfortunately, Jackson holds a 2-5 record in these seven bouts, but he seems determined to maintain his competitive edge.
After his first-round submission loss to Jim Miller at UFC 309, Damon Jackson reconsidered his retirement plans, expressing his desire to continue fighting. Jackson mentioned that he's been consistently training and is still fully committed to the sport. The UFC 309 results were indeed a challenging moment for Jackson, as he felt overwhelmed and took a surprising loss. Despite having a contract with three more fights, Jackson is open to facing opponents like Tony Ferguson or Cub Swanson, provided they're available and the UFC permits it. If not, he's prepared to face an emerging fighter looking to make a name in the ranks. Over his UFC career, Jackson has faced some of the division's elite, including Miller, Mirsad Bektic, Ilia Topuria, and more, even though he has a mixed record in these bouts.
