Bellator 283: Jason Jackson Wants Money Fight, And That Means the Title

It wasn’t what the fans were looking for on Friday in Tacoma, Washington, but welterweight Jason Jackson got the job done in the main event of Bellator 283.

Smothering wrestling and relentless takedowns saw former champion Douglas Lima spend most of the fight on his back, outside of some inspired leg kicks early in the opening round.

Jackson (16-4) has now won six straight, all by decision, many of which have not been close. That streak includes names like Paul Daley, Neiman Gracie, Benson Henderson, and now a three-time champ in Lima.

Touching on his performance Saturday, Jackson told media outlets including Cageside Press during his post-fight interview that he “just did what I had to, and did the strategy that I know to beat him, and didn’t want to risk it, because the level that we’re fighting at, anything can happen. You see it all the time.”

Now, it’s on the bigger things. The money fight, which for Jackson is a title fight.

“If they come at me with a fight and it’s not the belt, they’d better have a lot of money to give to me,” Jackson exclaimed. “Right now, I want the money fight, which is the title. And I want to be the champ. So I’m willing to hold off. I did it last year, and nothing came through, but I’m willing to do it again. Because I’m willing to be the champ, I want to be the champ, I’m going to be the champ.”

At the moment, it appears champion Yaroslav Amosov is due to return and enter into a title unification bout with interim champ Logan Storley, who happens to be a teammate of Jackson. One other fight, should the title not be forthcoming, would make sense to Jackson, and that’s Michael “Venom” Page. Page is ranked ahead of Jackson in Bellator’s welterweight division, but is currently moonlighting in bare-knuckle boxing.

“Absolutely because if I’m fighting him [Page], I’m not going backwards, I’m going forwards,” noted Jackson in agreeing to the possibility of a fight with MVP. “So if the money is right, I’m there. It’s alright with me, so let’s go.”

Watch the full Bellator 283 post-fight press conference with Jason Jackson above. More coverage from the event can be found below.