You’d be forgiven for not having the highest expectations heading into Dean Barry vs. Mike Jackson, which kicked off Saturday’s UFC Vegas 52 card at the UFC Apex.
Yes, it was that Mike Jackson. The one notorious for being brought into the promotion as a fall-guy for Mickey Gall, after Gall had called out CM Punk. Then, after Punk lost the first bout of his brief UFC career, Jackson got the nod to face the former WWE star. He’d get the win in 2018 in Chicago — only to see it overturned to a No Contest due to a drug test failure, albeit for marijuana.
Which brings use to Saturday night, nearly four years later. The incoming Dean Barry, with a 4-1 record to start the night, drew Jackson as he debut opponent. Questions about whether Barry himself was ready for the UFC aside, anything short of a dominant performance from the Irish newcomer would be considered a failure.
Barry opened the fight up with two side kicks to the midsection. Jackson was walking forward and Barry was just missing on some big right hands. Barry was throwing a lot of output and although he was missing almost everything, Jackson wasn’t throwing anything.
A beautiful spinning back kick by Barry was then launched — right to the groin, and the fight was paused. The fight resumed and Barry went right back to throwing those side kicks. Barry kept winging his left hand and some got through including a left hand that dropped Jackson. Jackson managed to fall back on his wrestling and got back to his feet and Barry went off with a flurry along the cage. In a fight that was likely about to be over, Barry gauged the eyes of Jackson. Jackson couldn’t continue and the fight was called off.
After two fouls officially called (and an earlier low blow that flew under the radar), Mike Jackson was awarded the win via disqualification, for an intentional foul. His record now sits at 1-1, 1NC through three UFC fights. Just about the strangest start to a UFC career ever.
Official Result: Mike Jackson def. Dean Barry by DQ (intentional foul), Round 1, 3:52
