UFC veteran Damon Jackson thought he was done competing in the UFC following his first-round submission loss to Jim Miller at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden in November. However, the 36-year-old veteran with a 23-8-1 record in MMA and a 6-6-1 mark in the UFC has reversed course.
Jackson spoke with MMA Junkie about his decision to change his mind.
“I’m not done, man – I’m really not,” Jackson told MMA Junkie Radio. “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 MSG card is a big deal for every fighter fortunate enough to be involved. It seems Jackson was raring to go while also dealing with some outside issues leading up to the fight.
“It was a very emotional night,” Jackson said. “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 last won in April via split decision over Anthony Hernandez, still has three fights left on his UFC contract. According to Jackson, he has spoken with UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby and left the conversation with the understanding that he would be able to fight out his contract.
We know things can change: for better or for worse.
At this point, Jackson could be a good opponent for someone like Tony Ferguson, if the UFC allows El Cucuy to fight again. Jackson has competed a lot at featherweight, though his loss to Miller came at lightweight. If he’s able to make 145 pounds again, perhaps a matchup with Cub Swanson would make sense.
If not Ferguson or Swanson, Jackson may draw an up-and-coming fighter who needs a test as they move toward a ranking. During Jackson’s career, he has fought for LFA, Bellator, the UFC, and the Professional Fighters League.
During Jackson’s 13-fight run in the UFC, he has locked horns with some of the best in the division. In addition to Miller, Jackson has faced Mirsad Bektic, Ilia Topuria, Charles Rosa, Dan Ige, Yancy Medeiros, and Billy Quarantillo.
Unfortunately for Jackson, his record is 2-5 in those seven fights. While Jackson seemingly wants to remain competitive, it may be difficult to find three solid opponents for him to finish his contract.
