UFC 272: Dustin Jacoby Fought Through Injuries Against Oleksiejczuk

Las Vegas, NV – For a kickboxer to go into a fight and throw a kick or two total was a sign of something being seriously wrong with the fighter. That proved to be true for UFC light heavyweight Dustin Jacoby, but fortunately for him he was able to pull off a win at UFC 272 on Saturday night.

Jacoby (17-5) defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk via decision in their card opening fight on the early prelims. Jacoby admitted he came into the fight injured.

“Extremely happy to get that victory. Like I said in the post-fight interview with Joe, I had injured, I’ve got a pretty bad injury to my foot in both my legs that kept me from doing the cardio that I typically do. When I had him rocked there in second round I kind of went for it. I told myself ‘Man, slow down, you’ve got to be able to weather this storm’ and to keep going because I knew how tough and durable he was and that he had a chance to come back. I’m happy with the win and definitely look forward to improving in my next fight,” Jacoby told the media in his post-fight scrum.

For a kickboxer like Jacoby injuries to the legs can spell doom in a bout against someone as tough as Oleksiejczuk.

“About six weeks ago there was a point where I couldn’t train for about a week. I thought to myself like ‘Man am I going to be able to get through this camp?’ It was the first time ever in my career where I had some doubts and some second thoughts about taking the fight. It got better I just was unable to do what I normally do. I knew my mind was powerful enough to get me through it and I was able to do enough to get the job done.”

With this fight out of the way and looking ahead to injuries healing up, Jacoby spoke on what is next for him.

“You know, my team’s going to hate this, I just feel a little disappointed I didn’t get the job done. I got the win and they were like, ‘Man I hate when you’re disappointed’ but you know I expect the best out of myself. I expect more, I expect to go out there and finish the guy. I just have to continue to get better. I’d like to get back this summer I’d like to fight three times this year. I just have to keep climbing the ladder and getting better and just keep getting out there and getting wins.”

One name on his mind, Shogun Rua.

“For sure I’d love that fight. That would be just incredible opportunity and a good opportunity to catapult my career.”

Watch the full UFC 272 post-fight press scrum with Dustin Jacoby above. More coverage from the event can be found below.