Montel Jackson indeed is a bantamweight with hands bigger than Francis Ngannou’s
NEW YORK – Montel Jackson beat Julio Arce with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Take a look inside the fight with Jackson, who won for the third straight time.
Julio Arce vs. Montel Jackson
Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Julio Are (red gloves) and Montel Jackson (blue gloves) during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Montel Jackson def. Julio Arce via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Updated records: Jackson (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) def. Julio Arce (18-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC)
Key stat: Jackson had a knockdown for the fifth straight fight, which is the second longest active streak in the UFC.
Jackson on the fight's key moment
Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Julio Are (red gloves) and Montel Jackson (blue gloves) during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
“No matter what the corner says or thinks, I always think I’m down or losing – especially if the fight’s still happening.”
Jackson on being slightly disappointed in his win
Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Julio Are (red gloves) and Montel Jackson (blue gloves) during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
“I think it could have been better. I think I could’ve gotten him out of there with simpler things early on in the fight. I figured he was going to try to touch and run, so I had to figure out a way to get him comfortable enough to stand in front of me.”
Jackson on what he wants next
Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Julio Are (red gloves) and Montel Jackson (blue gloves) during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m going to try to get back in there as soon as possible. (I’ll take) whatever they’ve got – whoever says yes. Whatever comes up, I’m going to try to get in there.”
To hear more from Jackson, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 281.
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