Dustin Jacoby’s start with, exit, and journey back to the UFC has been something of a wild ride. When he returns to the octagon Saturday night at UFC Vegas 12 against Justin Ledet, it will have been nearly a decade away for the Colorado-born fighter.
After starting his career 6-0 in 2010, Jacoby arrived in the UFC a prospect full of promise. Back-to-back losses derailed a promising career, however. Jacoby was immediately sent packing.
What ensued was a ride through local promotions, with a few stops in the big leagues with the WSOF and Bellator MMA. Then came a multi-year break from MMA, and a stint in kickboxing. But after returning to the cage last year, Jacoby earned himself a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series. And there, this past August, he earned himself a second UFC deal.
Saturday, Jacoby returned to the octagon against Justin Ledet in a light heavyweight preliminary card bout. Ledet was in must-win territory, on an 0-3 stretch.
Jacoby may have picked the perfect walkout track in Runnin Down a Dream by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. And early on, he wobbled Ledet with a right hand. Dustin’s time in kickboxing gave him a clear edge on the feet, with his kicks and combos forcing Ledet to the outside. Jacoby would eat a couple of shots from Ledet as well, but answered back with leg kicks nasty enough to drop Ledet! Three straight kicks to the side of the knee did the damage. Jacoby moved in with the ground n’ pound, but opted to let Ledet make his way back up. Jacoby then dropped him again to secure the TKO victory!
GUESS WHO'S BACK 🗣@TheHanyakdj sets up the TKO with BRUTAL leg kicks!
[ Action continues on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/fzgk5Mb9ki
— UFC (@ufc) October 31, 2020
Those leg kicks were nasty. While this is certainly not the end of it, Dustin Jacoby caught his dream on Saturday.
Official Result: Dustin Jacoby def. Justin Ledet by TKO, Round 1, 2:38
