Opposite Miller on Saturday was fellow veteran Damon Jackson, on his second stint with the UFC and coming off a loss against Chepe Mariscal. Jackson was making a move up from featherweight in an attempt to rejuvenate his career.

The fight started with both men in open stance matchup. Jackson was landing nice combinations early, mixing head and body as targets and using teeps to keep Miller at bay. After spending some time in the clinch, Miller used a step-in elbow to slice Jackson right between the eyes. As Miller was starting to find the range for his left hand, Jackson shot for a takedown and Miller instinctively jumped on his patented guillotine and forced the tap out of Jackson. A short but still classic Jim Miller performance as A10 proves to still have gas left in the tank.

Following the loss, Jackson left his gloves in the cage, a gesture that is usually synonymous with retirement. Jon Anik mentioned on the broadcast that Jackson was offered an octagon interview, but declined.

Miller is way past title runs or even sniffing the rankings, but he’s still one of the UFC’s most interesting attractions as it is always a pleasure to see him compete. He could be matched up with anyone and people will always tune in to watch him fight; in his post-fight speech, he suggested he’s ready to chase 50 fights in the promotion.

Official Result: Jim Miller def. Damon Jackson by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 2:44

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“That weight cut doesn’t get any easier. I make the weight everytime, but it almost feels like death,” he said. “It’s brutal. It’s not easy to make that weight.”

Not only has the weight cut become harder, but Jackson has also been given back-to-back opponents who have come in over the limit. Jackson noted that he felt like the latest of those opponents knew he would take the fight no matter what. After dealing with that again, he decided it was time for a change.

“I walk around at 175lbs, so for me to make featherweight is really hard. It’s a lot of weight,” Jackson said. “When the [Chepe Mariscal] fight was over, Sean [Shelby] came over and said ‘thank you for taking the fight – I appreciate it’. And I told him, I think it’s time for me to go up… He says as long as it makes sense, when ever you want, we’ll make it happen.”

After thinking about it for a bit, Jackson decided to try to get one more in before the end of the year. Following a loss and with an impending weight class change, he didn’t know what to expect in terms of opponent. So when they called with a name, he was very excited about it.

“I told them I’d like to fight one more time this year and then they came back with Jim Miller – so I was like ‘let’s go,” he said. “The fact that they trusted me enough to come at me with that matchup is definitely rewarding.”

You can catch Damon Jackson’s fight with Jim Miller as part of the UFC 309 prelims. That portion of the card begins at 8pm EST on ESPN+.

You can hear the entire audio of this interview at 2:10.

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Kicking off this UFC 309 edition of TTP is our interview with UFC lightweight, Damon Jackson. Jackson talks about the opening of Fortis MMA Lakeside and why he’s always known he was destined to be a coach. Then talks a bit about weight cutting and how he knew it was time to take a fight at lightweight. While he was hoping for something big, Jim Miller in Madison Square Garden was bigger than he could have imagined. He then gives us some of his thoughts on the style matchup for that fight.

Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC 309 (12:59)

A week after UFC Vegas 100 in the Apex, we head on the road for a big pay-per-view. Jon Jones returns to defend his title against one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of the sport – Stipe Miocic. We’ll be breaking down that fight and two other of our favorite fights on the main card. On top of that, we’ll also hit you with an underdog and a parlay that we think will make your wallet fat this weekend. We’ve hit our plus-money parlay five weeks in a row, so don’t miss these picks! For this segment, all odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Roybert Echeverria Interview (23:47)

Closing out this UFC 309 edition of TTP is our interview with Anthony Pettis Fighting Championships flyweight, Roybert Echeverria. Echeverria discusses his upcoming flyweight title fight with the organization and how he hopes to build on it in the new year. Plus, he talks about his decision to come to Anthony Pettis Fighting Championships. Then he shares his thoughts about The Ultimate Fighter as a concept and the UFC deciding to do a flyweight season. He gives some insight as to whether or not he’d be interested in going into the house.

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Miller (37-18, 1NC), 41, will be entering UFC bout #45 when he takes on Damon Jackson (23-7-1, 1NC) at the event, set for Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. News of the booking was first reported by MMA Fighting.

Jackson later confirmed the pairing on social media.

In addition to having the most fights in UFC history, Miller holds several other records, including most wins in UFC history and in UFC lightweight history, and most fight time in lightweight history in the company as well.

In April, he competed at UFC 300, completing a goal of having fought at all three centennial events for the UFC: UFC 100, 200, and 300. He’d lose a decision to Bobby Green, but remains 5-2 through his last seven fights.

Jackson is 1-3 in his last four, and was defeated by Chepe Mariscal last time out. Both of Jackson’s last two opponents, Mariscal and Alexander Hernandez, missed weight.

UFC 309 is headlined by Jon Jones facing Stipe Miocic, a battle of the current heavyweight champ against a man considered by many the heavyweight GOAT. The following match-ups have been reported for the card:

• Jon Jones (c) vs. Stipe Miocic – for the UFC heavyweight championship
• Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
• Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
• Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
• Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
• Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura
• Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
• Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov
• Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders
• Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson
• Randy Brown vs. Carlos Prates

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Marcin Tybura

Marcin Tybura was submitted via armbar by his opponent Serghei Spivac in the main event of UFC Vegas 95. Tybrua entered the fight as the #8 ranked UFC heavyweight while Spivac was ranked at #9. The fight was a rematch from 2020 in which Tybura had secured a unanimous decision over Spivac.

Tybura is 7-3 since his first win over Spivac but has struggled at the upper levels of the division losing three of his last six fights (the other losses coming to Alexander Volkov and Tom Aspinall).

Tybura should fight Derrick Lewis in his next fight. Lewis and Tybura fought once before in 2018 with Lewis stopping Tybura in the third round, and final, round. They are both 2-2 in their last four fights. Lewis doesn’t have a fight booked and is ranked at #11. And with nearly every other fighter having been booked in the bottom half of the rankings, this rematch makes a lot of sense.

Tybura’s next fight: Derrick Lewis 

Damon Jackson

Damon Jackson lost a high-paced unanimous decision to Chepe Mariscal in the co-main event of Saturday’s card. Mariscal is now a perfect 4-0 in the UFC, so it was yet another solid competitor for Jackson. Damon has now won just one of his last four fights, a split decision to Alexander Hernandez in April.

Jackson should fight Andre Fili in his next fight. Fili and Jackson have a recent common opponent in Dan Ige. Both Damon and Andre were stopped by the Hawaiian in the first round of their respective bouts, within 13 months of each other.  Fili is 2-2 in his last four fights having last been in action at UFC 303 when he won a split decision over Cub Swanson.

Jackson’s next fight: Andre Fili

Nikolay Veretennikov

Nikolay Veretennikov was defeated in his promotional debut by Danny Barlow via spilt decision. Veretennikov stepped up on short notice and had his opponent miss weight as well. Niokolay, who was on the wrong end of a fight on the 2021 season of the Contender Series, captured Arizona’s UFL welterweight strap in the time since his apperance.

Nikolay Veretennikov should fight Yusaku Kinoshita in his next fight. Kinoshita is 0-2 in the UFC and is also a veteran of the Contender Series (2022 season).  Kinoshita has been finished in the first round of both of his UFC fights while opposite of Billy Goff and Adam Fuggit. He was even matched up to fight Danny Barlow, earlier this year, but withdrew from that fight.

Veretennikov’s next fight: Yusaku Kinoshita

Quang Le

Quang Le lost for the first time in his professional career on Saturday to Chris Gutierrez. Le was a standout in the LFA and faced a very experienced fighter in Gutierrez. Quang impressed, despite the final result of the bout.

Quang should fight Alatengheili in his next fight. Alatengheili is another exciting fighter that has also faced Chris Gutierrez and lost a unanimous decision as well. Actually, Gutierrez is Alatengheili’s sole loss in his last four fights. He was last in action back in May when he defeated Kleydson Rodrigues by unanimous decision.

Le’s next fight: Alatengheili

Chelsea Chandler

Chelsea Chandler lost a unanimous decision to Yana Santos on Saturday. To make matters worse, Chandler also missed weight by five pounds ahead of the bout. It was her second time in a row missing weight. Chandler entered the bout as the #14 ranked UFC women’s bantamweight while Santos was ranked at #12.

Chelsea is now 2-2 in her last four fights and has struggled with making weight. Chandler should fight Pannie Kianzad in her next fight. Pannie is ranked at #11 as of Saturday in the UFC’s rankings. She has lost four of her last five fights with her only win being over Lina Lansberg who is now retired. Pannie fought Karol Rosa on the undercard of UFC Vegas 95, losing a one-sided unanimous decision. It’d be a bout that makes sense in more ways than one.

Chandler’s next fight: Pannie Kianzad 

Charalampos Grigoriou

Charalampos Grigoriou was submitted in the second round of his bout with Toshiomi Kazama on the first main card bout of UFC Vegas 95. The 2023 Contender Series alum is now 0-2 in the UFC, having lost his promotional debut to Chad Anheliger earlier this year.

Grigoriou should fight Fernie Garcia or a fresh fighter off of the Contender Series. Fernie Garcia is currently 0-4 with UFC since his win on the 2021 season of the Contender Series. Garcia has lost unanimous decisions to bantamweight’s: Journey Newsome, Brady Hiestand and Rinya Nakamura. Charalampos was finished in his most recent bout by Hyder Amil in a featherweight affair. The loser of that fight would likely be out of the UFC.

Grigoriou’s next fight: Fernie Garcia or 2024 Contender Series fighter

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At least the fight held together, despite Mariscal missing weight by 3.5 pounds on Friday, one of three fighters to miss the mark for the much maligned event.

Jackson entered the would-be featherweight bout off a split decision win over Alexander Hernandez; Mariscal had won his first three fights under the UFC banner.

The action was hot and heavy in the early-going of the UFC Vegas 95 co-headliner. Mariscal went right after a bodylock takedown and ripped the body when he couldn’t get it. Jackson fired knees. They held onto that clinch until Chepe landed a throw; even coming back up, they stayed locked together, neither man willing to given an inch. Ending up on the cage, Jackson clasped his hands with a gable grip and reversed; Chepe spun them around again. A grueling style through two minutes, with Jackson living up to his nickname, “The Leech.”

Still clinched up, Mariscal landed a knee. Moments later, a four pack of left hooks connected for Chepe Mariscal. Yet coming out of that clinch it was Mariscal who was bloodied. He’d land a takedown, however, but drew a warning for hitting the back of the head. Another takedown at Jackson defend with a guillotine. He’d get up, reverse, and drive Mariscal into the fence. Jackson then stumbled off a throw attempt and nearly gave up position before regaining his composure.  They finally broke, found some space, and re-engaged, with Mariscal connecting with punches and the pair trading knees. It was Mariscal attempting a takedown late, but Jackson fought it off, reversed, and tried for one of his own.

Early in the second, Jackson landed low with a knee, leading to a break in the action 30 seconds in. The ref restarted them in the same position, with the pair reversing a couple of times once they were back underway. This war of attrition continued for several minutes until Mariscal finally landed a trip. Jackson then gave up his back trying to get up; Mariscal locked up what could best be described as a reverse crucifix from back mount. That allowed him to drop elbows and hammer fists and force Jackson to try and change position, which led to a scramble. Mariscal was having his best moments of the fight, and Jackson was looking exhausted. When Mariscal stood up, Jackson fell to his back, inviting Mariscal to follow. He did, but it backfired for Jackson, as Mariscal was in control landing ground n’ pound with 30 seconds to go in the round.

It wasn’t enough to put Jackson away, but Chepe Mariscal finish the round extremely strong. He started the third with a push kick, while Jackson fired back with his hands. Mariscal appeared to be the fresher fighter, if just barely. The clinch game was back, the pair spinning around on the fence. Once Mariscal got his hands going, he was able to scoop Jackson up and land a takedown. Chepe was on the back, but Jackson reversed, and nearly took the back himself! Another scramble and they were back up, Jackson looking for a takedown.

More scrambles and it was Mariscal on top. Jackson seemed to be just barely holding on. When he got up, Mariscal dragged him back down for the mat return. Jackson, tired as he might be, was proving super tough – but also losing the fight. Mariscal would finish in control, landing ground n’ pound to the final horn in one of the better fights at UFC Vegas 95.

Were it not for the weight miss, it might have been close to a perfect night for Chepe Mariscal.

Official Result: Chepe Mariscal def. Damon Jackson by decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)

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“I think staying relevant trying to break into that top 15, top 10, you have to stay busy,” Jackson told reporters on Wednesday.

“There’s no time off and I just feel like at this point in my career…I’m one to push it everyday because I don’t know how much longer this is going to happen.”

Jackson (23-6-1) isn’t saying he’s almost done with fighting. If anything he’s extended his career in a way.

“I just feel so healthy, I feel so good, so I’m going to push it as hard as I can for as long as I can. It makes me happy to get the opportunity,” Jackson said.

“I have plenty more now than I have in ages man. Just getting past all these hurdles this past year opening my own business, getting my gym running, it’s given me so much more confidence.”

Even with Mariscal in front of him this Saturday Jackson made sure to let everybody know he’d be willing to step in on short-notice for another fight. Specifically for Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes bout rebooked for UFC 306.

“He (Ortega) doesn’t want that fight. I’ll take that fight all day. I don’t care who it is. I’m game to fight and I think that Sean (Shelby) knows that. I think the UFC knows that,” he said.

“All the fans that kind of caught on to that. I was ready to fight Chepe on July 20th, and now I’m even more ready to fight him August 10th. I’ll be here ready to go.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Damon Jackson above. He takes on Chepe Mariscal at UFC Vegas 95 on Saturday night.

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“What’s crazy is I didn’t know until like four hours after they had the bout going,” Mariscal told reporters on Wednesday.

“I was busy doing things getting ready for that fight. Then we went to a fight card and when I got to the fight card they kind of like giving me a side eye. I sat down and then my coaches and another friend came by and they were like ‘hey man did you hear?'”

Mariscal (16-6) did not know that his original opponent for UFC Vegas 95, Dan Ige, had stepped up on just hours notice to face Diego Lopes at UFC 303 in the co-main event. Brian Ortega had fallen ill and as luck would have it Ige had all his medicals and paperwork done for his fight with Mariscal. That made it easy to put him in against Lopes.

Mariscal had no idea.

“They were like ‘Dan Ige is fighting Diego Lopes.’ I was like oh I got replaced? They replaced me? They’re like no he’s fighting tonight. In four hours,” he said.

“I was a little confused at first like can they even do that? Hats off to Dan Ige to take that fight on four hours notice. Then I was like who’s next for me and then Damon Jackson popped up.”

His team was already looking for a replacement and Jackson’s name popped up.

“It was like okay next opponent and we’re looking already the top 10. We’re just trying to move forward from that,” he said.

“It was cool to just have Damon Jackson step in at the right time.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Chepe Marsical above. He takes on Damon Jackson at UFC Vegas 95 on Saturday night.

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Brendan Allen came out ahead in the main event, while Damon Jackson got the nod in the co-headliner. Let’s play a little matchmaker and see what comes next for the night’s big winners.

Brendan Allen

Brendan Allen now possesses the longest winning streak of any middleweight contender in the UFC. However, he still has not beaten any top-ten opponents, though that’s not his fault, as Marvin Vettori pulled out of their fight, causing Chris Curtis to step in. With Israel Adesanya allegedly getting the next middleweight title shot, the next most relevant contender who is available would be Jared Cannonier.

Cannonier beat the man who would become champ, Sean Strickland, by close split decision in 2022 before brutally dominating Marvin Vettori over five rounds last year. He arguably deserves a title shot, so putting Allen and Cannonier together would be perfect as a title eliminator. The power of Cannonier would be a real test for Allen, as he would fight the hardest opponent of his career thus far.

Allen’s Next Fight: vs Jared Cannonier

Damon Jackson

Damon ‘the Leech’ Jackson rebounded from his loss to Dan Ige with a close win over Alexander Hernandez. Jackson is now 6-4-1 in the UFC with one no-contest, a more-than-respectable record. He will not get another shot at the rankings just yet but maybe with another win or two against other featherweight hopefuls.

One such hopeful is Nate Landwehr, who is in the same spot as Jackson after also losing to Dan Ige before beating Jamall Emmers in Atlantic City. With this exciting featherweight matchup one man could achieve a two-fight winning streak and be well-poised to strike at the top-15.

Jackson’s Next Fight: vs Nate Landwehr

Chepe Mariscal

Chepe Mariscal went to battle against Frenchman Morgan Charriere, which he came out on top of by split decision in UFC Vegas 90’s ‘Fight of the Night.’ His toughness, dirty boxing, and cardio are all key traits that make him a tough out for any other unranked featherweight. Now with a 3-0 record in the UFC, Chepe and his exciting style are nearly ready for a shot at the rankings.

One other relevant unranked featherweight matchup coming soon is David Onama VS Jonathan Paerce. The winner of that matchup will be on the rise as well, and each man has a style that Mariscal has not seen before in the UFC. If the Team Elevation product can get past the power of Onama or the pacey wrestling of JSP then he will be truly ready to challenge a top-fifteen opponent.

Mariscal’s Next Fight: vs Winner of Onama/Pearce

Ignacio Bahamondes

Chilean kickboxing specialist Ignacio Bahamondes also rebounded from a tough loss as he put away veteran Christos Giagos in the first round at UFC Vegas 90. It still remains to be seen how he deals with a solid grappling threat after Giagos barely had any chance to shoot on him, but Bahamondes’ distance control does put wrestlers at a disadvantage to begin with. It is time for another veteran test, and what better one than Carlos Diego Ferreira.

‘CDF’ was once a ranked fighter for many years and though he has aged out of contention now, he is still going strong, as seen in his ‘Knockout of the Year’ contender over Michael Johnson in 2023. This battle of South American lightweights could be an exciting one to watch in the near future.

Bahamondes’ Next Fight: vs Carlos Diego Ferreira

Charlie Campbell

Long Island prospect Charlie Campbell soundly beat Trevor Peek over three rounds in one of this Apex card’s best fights. Though he tired late, Campbell was able to use his grappling to stifle an also-tired but still dangerous Peek, showing his well-rounded skillset after two rounds of largely dominating the striking. At 2-0 in the UFC he has a ways to go, but is on the right path, especially if he can beat someone like Rafa Garcia next.

Garcia has been in the UFC since 2021, is 4-3, and currently owns a two-fight winning streak. His well-rounded skillset and greater experience makes for an appropriate test for Charlie at this stage of the LAW MMA product’s career.

Campbell’s Next Fight: vs Rafa Garcia

The post What’s Next: UFC Vegas 90 Winners appeared first on Cageside Press.

Damon Jackson was brutally knocked out by Dan Ige in his last fight, showcasing the flawed chin that has led to him suffering some brutal knockouts in his career. But his cardio and pace could expose his foe’s suspect gas tank, as Hernandez has been well-known to gas out and lose late in fights. He also missed weight, potentially maybe to a tough weight cut.  Still, Alex’s prodigious power could be his key to winning if his right hand could find Jackson’s chin. In the end, both man pushed through and survived scares with their respective flaws to make it to a close decision, which Jackson edged out.

The striking was balanced early in round one and then Jackson got to a clinch, where he looked to grapple. He had a rear body-lock temporarily but Hernandez turned into him and escaped. Hernandez seemed to have an advantage with the boxing but Damon Jackson’s calf kicks made Alex since every time they landed. Damon tried another takedown; though he failed he softened up Alex’s thighs with short knees constantly for nearly a minute. Then he was indeed able to land a takedown. Though he could not flatten Hernandez out and establish strong control he ended the round in a control position.

The second round began with Alex pressing forward but having trouble tracking down Jackson. The striking felt awkward as both were too far out of range to land, most of the time. Ninety seconds in they each landed a strong punch simultaneously, and from there Hernandez found a few clean punches in the next minute. However Jackson’s next land popped open Hernandez’s nose, which bled profusely. The round was very close, but then Jackson landed his first takedown of the frame. Jackson waited for his chance and scrambled to Alexander’s back, quick as lightning. He got both hooks in and then the body triangle as he attacked the choke. When he was unable to land it he punched away from the back, putting the round firmly in his pocket.

Potentially down two rounds, Hernandez had to find a finish in the third. He almost did just that by coming right out and dropping Jackson with a right hand. His ground and pound was stifled just enough to keep him from finishing but he got into full mount in a scramble. From there Alex hunted an arm triangle but Jackson scrambled to his feet and landed a knee, then dove for a takedown. From the clinch he set up a unique throw to take down Hernandez, take the back, and flatten him out. However Hernandez got his butt in the air and shook Damon off the top. But it was Alex who seemed to be fading, so Jackson went for another takedown. Hernandez dug deep and stayed up, but was stuck in the clinch. Jackson stalled him there for a long time, with Alex maybe too tired to separate and throw haymakers. Finally they both let their hands go for the final ten seconds.

The scorecards were expected to be close and took a while to be tabulated. When they were read it was a split. The first judge had it 30-27 for Hernandez, an odd scorecard which turned out to be the outlier, as the other two had it 29-28 Jackson, giving Damon the win.

Official Result: Damon Jackson def. Alexander Hernandez by Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

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