New York, NY – Even with the finish over Mark Madsen at UFC 295 fresh in his mind UFC lightweight Jared Gordon couldn’t help but reflect on how tough 2023 has been for him.
“It’s been a long year for me. Lot of ups and down. More downs than ups,” Gordon told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“It’s coming to my hometown. I was literally in this area for years training at Renzo Gracie’s. I feel like a broken record because I’ve said this 50 times already.”
Madison Square Garden is more than just a fight venue for Gordon. It’s the mecca of sports in his hometown where he has family ties in combat sports.
“My grandfather fought in Madison Square Garden four times. He was a pro boxer. He was really good too. He’s 38-3 as a pro. Better record than mine.”
Getting the finish at MSG against Madsen who had never been TKO’d before was a big moment for Gordon.
“It’s pretty high on the list definitely. I guess it’s the highest moment for me. My debut was pretty cool, my UFC debut, but losing to Paddy (Pimblett) was pretty cool too,” Gordon said with a smile.
With 14 bouts in the UFC Gordon still fought on the early prelim portion of UFC 295 which is odd for a fighter who has done so much in the promotion.
“It’s never going to be easy for me no matter what I do in life. Everything’s always been like a struggle. Nothing was ever handed to me. Nothing has ever been handed to like my friends and family,” he said.
“Everyone that’s surrounded me has like a tough go at sh*t.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Jared Gordon above.
