Damon Jackson – “I’m Going to Let Loose This Fight”
Stepping into the Octagon for the 13th time at UFC Fight Night: Tybura vs. Spivac 2, Damon Jackson will look to string together back-to-back UFC wins as well as his sixth win in eight contests. The event is set to take place August 10, 2024, in the UFC Apex. Jackson is scheduled for the main card alongside dangerous challenger Chepe Mariscal. This bout will also mark the 31st of his professional career, a task many MMA fighters never accomplish.
Finding Combat Sports and Early MMA Days
“I started watching MMA with my uncle then decided to wrestle. I wrestled all the way through college and that’s when I started fighting amateur fights and went pro after I graduated,” Jackson told MYMMANEWS. After earning state runner-up in high school wrestling, Jackson continued to grow by attending Missouri Valley College, where he would become an All-American. Jackson would place fifth at the 2012 NAIA National Tournament.
An amateur from 2009-2012, Damon Jackson would win all but his amateur finale in April 2012. This is around the same time Jackson was finishing up his time wrestling at Missouri Valley College. Ready to turn pro after the nearing graduation, his pro debut came in September 2012. Jackson would serve to be victorious in his debut, winning his first nine professional bouts. This 9-0 start would earn him his first calling to the UFC.
First UFC Run and the Return
Jackson’s three-bout stint in the UFC would serve as a building experience for the rising star. Unfortunately, he would capture everything but a win with a loss, draw, and no contest. The end of 2016 would see Jackson venture down a new path in LFA. After his exit bout from the UFC in Legacy FC, Jackson would earn the decision win. His next eight of nine contests would come under the LFA banner where he would go 7-1 including all seven wins coming by way of the finish. This impressive voyage would earn Jackson a second call to the UFC, which began with UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley in September 2020.
Since his return to the UFC, Jackson has considerably improved, currently 6-3 on his second tenure with the organization. With his 31st fight just around the corner, what has been the biggest highlight of his very solid career? “I honestly love it all. Training for the fight, cutting weight, and then getting to compete at the highest level. I really enjoy all of it but one of my favorite things is making someone tap,” stated Jackson.
UFC Fight Night: Tybura vs. Spivac 2
Jackson’s opponent, Mariscal, has yet to taste defeat in his 3-0 UFC run. Jackson will serve to be a much tougher task though for the rising star hoping to remain undefeated. Coming off of a win at UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2, Jackson is in perfect position to continue his run. “I am very dialed in for this fight. I had a really good camp and my weight management has been awesome. Just because I got an extra two weeks. I am ready to go and I’m going to let loose this fight,” said Jackson.
