Mike Jackson’s contract with the UFC has not ended yet, but he feels that the release will probably happen sooner or later. Jackson said he is fully aware of his skills and how far this MMA talent can brought him. However, he quickly clarified that this doesn’t mean he refuse another UFC fight if he was offered one, but he said another chance is not likely to happen.
“Some people are calling for me to fight other guys. Look, if they can get me in there with someone like Artem [Lobov] or someone like that type of fighter, yeah, I’m happy to come back and put on a great show. Outside of people like that, look, I’m going to go back to boxing and kickboxing. I’ll fight on local, smaller MMA shows, Legacy and thing like that,” Jackson said.
He was then asked why he would agree to fight Lobov, but not other MMA fighters.
“Dude, he’s a brawler,” Jackson said. “I love those kinds of fights.”
As for the fight between CM Punk and Mickey Gall, Jackson is sure how things will go down. He said that Gall may be committed the mistake of going against a veteran MMA fighter too early in his career. But, Gall would probably roll over CM Punk, who is actually a former WWE celebrity.
“I think Mickey takes him out in the first round. I think it’s a first-round finish for Mickey. Look, Phil [Brooks], he can train with these guys for as long as possible. The wear and tear he’s had on his body from professional wrestling, I just don’t see him advancing. There are people like BJ Penn who’s coming out who received their black belt in three years, things like that. I don’t see him as being that type of athlete and definitely doesn’t have that type of fighter IQ. I don’t believe in lucky punches and things like that, but that’s all he really has is a puncher’s chance to close his eyes and to throw a wild shot. I don’t see him being able to take Mickey down and submit him. Especially on the hands, his striking is horrible,” Jackson said.
Jackson clarified that he has no bad blood against Gall. Furthermore, he was able to predict big things for the MMA newbie, but didn’t want to make any long-term predictions about Gall’s future in the MMA industry. However, Jackson said that if Gall would be booked the right way and was given ample time to sharpen his skills, Gall would fly high in the sport.
“He’s young. He’s only 23. He has a bright future ahead of him. As long as he’s sort of brought up the correct way. He’s not going out and calling out top 10, top 15 guys. He’s brought along the proper way. He comes in here, he defeats Punk. You’re going to have to give him someone with not a lot of fights. Maybe four fights, five fights, someone early on. Or maybe someone on the outs, getting ready to get cut by UFC that has maybe one or two fights left. As long as he stays mentally sharp, he continues to hone his skills and doesn’t get too ahead of himself by trying to get these bigger names and bigger fights, then I feel he does well and he has a bright future,” Jackson added.