Damon Jackson ‘not achieved,’ walks again MMA retirement

Now that the mud has settled, Damon Jackson has made the choice to not retire from MMA.

Jackson (23-8-1 MMA, 6-6-1 UFC) took his gloves off and left them in the course of the octagon following his first-round submission loss to Jim Miller at UFC 309 in November. All indicators level to him strolling away from the game, however upon additional reflection, Jackson determined this isn’t the time.

“It was a really emotional night time,” Jackson advised MMA Junkie Radio. “I’ve had lots occurring this previous two or three years that I haven’t actually shared with anybody. I sort of saved it to myself, and I’ve simply had lots occurring. It was very irritating to go on the market and be on that stage and to go on the market and lose that means, a means that I’ve prided myself in with my jiu-jitsu, with my wrestling.

“To go on the market and take a loss like that, it was simply actually irritating – so shocking and so surprising. I couldn’t even actually comprehend the truth that I simply misplaced.”

As soon as the fact of defeat set in, Jackson knew it couldn’t be his closing second of competitors. Nonetheless, he’s not going to hurry again in try to proper the ship and set himself up for one more disappointment.

Jackson, 36, intends to take a probably half-year layoff into 2025, and through that point plans to concentrate on some private tasks, together with increasing his gyms and launching his personal health machines that he ultimately hopes will turn out to be obtainable to the general public.

Greater than something, Jackson desires to ensure life is nice for his 4 daughters. He revealed a divorce from his spouse in 2023 has been a problem to beat, and making certain his youngsters are greatest taken care of throughout the fallout of that course of is critical to Jackson.

He mentioned so far he’s been a really current father to his daughters, and he desires that to proceed. Combating won’t be the foremost factor for Jackson in the meanwhile, however he’s not prepared to depart it prior to now, both.

“I’m not achieved, man – I’m actually not,” Jackson mentioned. “I’ve been within the gymnasium doing two- and three-a-days similar to regular. I’m nonetheless in it one hundred pc, it’s simply mentally I actually checked out that night time and it was an overload, actually. However I’m not achieved. I simply want to determine the trail to what I wish to do subsequent. However I’m not achieved preventing, for certain.”

Jackson mentioned he spoke to UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby about the place issues stand for him, and mentioned the members of the promotional brass are supportive of his mentality. He nonetheless has three fights remaining on his present UFC contract, and it’s his pondering that will likely be honored if he desires them.

It seemingly received’t occur within the speedy future, although. Jackson mentioned he’s withdrawn his identify from the UFC anti-doping testing pool, and as a way to get again in must adjust to six months of unpolluted testing earlier than he’s in a position to step again within the octagon.

Jackson didn’t present a motive why he’s exited the testing pool, however made it clear he doesn’t see a preventing future anyplace exterior of UFC.

“I’m not going to struggle for anyone however the UFC,” Jackson mentioned. “I’m not going to go check the contract. I don’t give a sh*t about anyone else’s contracts. I don’t care about anybody else. If I ever struggle once more, it’ll be with UFC. I advised Sean, ‘Pay attention, I’m going to take a while off. I’m most likely not even going to struggle till this summer time.’”