If ever there was evidence that we’ve slipped into an alternate universe (or a simulation run amok), look no further than the career of Mike Jackson, UFC welterweight.
“The Truth” was brought in as a potential foil for Micky Gall, back when the UFC deemed Gall a suitable first opponent for WWE star turned mixed martial artist CM Punk.
Jackson, a part-time fighter and fringe media member who had worked for current UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard under the Legacy FC banner, was not surprisingly steamrolled by Gall.
That fight came in February of 2016, yet almost inconceivably, six years later, Jackson remains with the company, entering his fourth pro fight — which happens to be his fourth fight in the UFC.
In the years that have passed since Jackson’s debut, Brock Lesnar returned to the octagon, Cain Velasquez joined the WWE, and was later arrested for attempted murder, Daniel Cormier achieved double-champ status (and later retired), CM Punk himself returned to pro wrestling, and Jackson’s own win over the real-life Phil Brooks was overturned to a No Contest due to a failed drug test.
The fact that not a single one of Jackson’s UFC bouts have been remotely entertaining did not stop the promotion from booking the 37-year old into a fight with Pete Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 62 on Saturday. No doubt because, while Jackson’s fights have seen him perform at what could generously be called an amateur level, he has just enough notoriety to get people talking.
Saturday’s contest against “Deadgame” Rodriguez went south early for Jackson, not surprisingly. In the opening minute, he wound up on his back, covering up and eating ground n’ pound. Jackson would make it back up, but the power differential between the fighters was clear, and Jackson was soon beaten senseless.
“The Truth” was lit up along the fence, covering up. He escaped, but moments later, Jackson was caught along the fence once more — rocked by a Rodriguez punch, then crushed with a knee. Jackson slumped to his knees, only to eat another crushing punch that appeared to put him right out, as the ref came in to make the save.
Jackson spent a good long while getting back to his stool, though he was conscious when the result was announced. If nothing else, Saturday’s performance — where Jackson had nothing to offer and was nearly a murder victim — should bring his dubious UFC run to a close.
Official Result: Pete Rodriguez def. Mike Jackson by knockout, Round 1, 1:33
