Former Bellator Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson enters this 2025 season as one of the favorites to win the PFL 170-pound world tournament a tournament that he may not have wanted to be in at all.
After losing a razor close decision to Ramazan Kuramagomedov in Ireland last year, Jackson said he was “promised” a championship rematch that he never received.
The Jamaican born contender he stated that he had to solve his own visa problems to even travel to Ireland and defend his title. He expressed frustration with the promotion and was confused why he never got a second chance at Bellator gold.
Jackson headlines PFL’s opening round event April 3rd in Orlando, Florida. Jason took time out of his busy schedule to talk with me last week, here’s how the conversation unfolded.
BC: Some Exciting news you’ll be facing another former Bellator Champion in Andrey Koreshkov, you guys fought in the same promotion for a while how familiar are you with his game?
JJ: I’ve seen a few of his fights and the guy is pretty good at spinning attacks. He has heart and he’s gonna come to fight. That’s what I love, that’s what is going to challenge me.
BC: Is he someone you and your team have game planned for in the past?
JJ: For sure, his name has popped up on my radar a few times, so the time has finally when we have to meet. I believe that I am the better fighter.
BC: We saw that you recently went back to Jamaica, helping teach and coach the next generation of fighters over there. How important was that to you?
JJ: Hey it was everything I ever wanted, going back and kinda blessing my community and bring back some of the skills that I accumulated here in America the land of opportunity. Giving the next kid an opportunity to travel with martial arts and pass it down to the next generation because I don’t want to die with the skills that I have.
When I asked the former Bellator champion about his title loss to Ramazan Kuramagomedov in Ireland, he stated that “I’m surprised that I’m not fighting him for the belt, that’s what I was told. Based on the favor’s that I did for Bellator.”
BC: Oh, so you thought that you were going to get a championship rematch this year instead of entering into the tournament?
JJ: Exactly, Exactly. That’s what I was told.
BC: Did you ever get a reason as to why that was the direction that they went in?
JJ: You know I was promised things were going to go according to plan. Like I said I kinda felt like I was doing a favor actually going out there after them making a mistake with my VISA. They didn’t get me it and I still found a way to get it done. I got out there late, still made weight, still fulfilled my obligations and I was told you know for you doing that and saving the show, definitely.
I was certainly not expecting this response from the former champion, but we went on to discuss his best memories in Bellator and much more in this interview.
You can catch Jason Jackson in action April 3rd from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The PFL world tournament opening round will be streamed on ESPN+.
