LAS VEGAS – Montel Jackson addressed the media on Saturday following his victory against Ricky Simon at UFC Fight Night 289.
Jackson, holding a 16-4 MMA record and 10-4 in the UFC, secured a second-round knockout over Simon, who stands at 22-8-1 MMA and 10-7-1 UFC, during the preliminary card at the Meta APEX.
This win ended Jackson’s two-fight losing streak, where he narrowly lost split decisions to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and the event’s headliner, Raoni Barcelos. Notably, it marked Jackson’s first finish since delivering a rapid 18-second knockout against Da’Mon Blackshear over two years ago that earned him a performance bonus.
Their matchup was a rematch, as Jackson faced Simon in his UFC debut more than eight years ago on short notice after winning on Dana White’s Contender Series but lost by decision. Jackson expressed gratitude toward Simon for that first opportunity, crediting him for helping launch his long UFC career.
Speaking about the fight, Jackson said, “I’m thankful to Ricky for everything he contributed to my journey. When I made my debut, he could have declined the fight or found someone else, but he agreed, and I’m forever grateful. This time, I had the benefit of a full training camp, which made a difference in preparing to face what Ricky brings.”
He added, “When someone steps in front of me, the chance to strike will always be there. Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong. You repeat those techniques so many times you know the shot will always connect.”
Reflecting on his earlier losses, Jackson said, “Losing split decisions is tough – it makes you reassess your skills and plug the gaps. But I believe every successful person I’ve spoken to has told me that failure was the key to their biggest achievements. For me, those losses might be what propelled me forward.”
The post-fight interview video is available above.
This story was originally published on MMA Junkie: Montel Jackson grateful for chance to bring UFC career full-circle.
Fan Take: Montel Jackson’s comeback win shows the importance of perseverance and learning from setbacks in MMA. His ability to secure a finish after tough losses signals rising momentum that could shake up the bantamweight division, giving fans fresh excitement heading into future fights.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
