# Jason Jackson (fighter)

Jason Jackson (born October 30, 1990) is a Jamaican mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of Bellator MMA, where he is the former Bellator Welterweight Champion. A professional since 2012, Jackson has competed in Titan FC, and, Legacy Fighting Alliance. He also appeared on the UFC's reality television series The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians.

## Background

Jackson was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica on October 30, 1990. At the age of 12 he moved to South Florida, graduating from Miramar High School, where he competed on the school’s wrestling team. Growing up he was a fan of professional wrestling and the WWE. He began training for mixed martial arts at the age of 19 with The Blackzilians.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Jackson made his professional debut in 2012, compiling a record of 5–2 in regional promotions, where he competed against future UFC fighter Colby Covington.

### The Ultimate Fighter

In February 2015, it was announced Jackson would be a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians.
Jackson's first fight on TUF was against Marcelo Alfaya, whom he defeated by majority decision.
In his second fight on the show he faced future Titan FC Welterweight Champion Michael Graves. Early in the first round Jackson connected with a groin kick that went unnoticed by the referee and almost finished Graves with punches. However Graves survived and submitted Jackson with a rear naked choke in round one, eliminating him from the tournament.

### Titan Fighting Championships

Jackson made his Titan FC debut against Rodrigo Cavalheiro Correia on September 9, 2016, at Titan FC 41. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Jackson then competed in a title match against Titan FC Welterweight Champion and future UFC fighter, Dhiego Lima on December 2, 2016, at Titan FC 42. Jackson won the fight via technical knockout early in round one, claiming the Titan FC Welterweight Championship.
Jackson vacated his title after being invited to compete on Dana White's Contender Series. He faced Kyle Stewart, and lost the fight via TKO in round two after suffering an ankle injury that rendered him unable to continue. He was not awarded a UFC contract as a result.

### Bellator MMA

Jackson made his Bellator MMA debut against Jordon Larson on August 17, 2018, at Bellator 204. He won the fight via TKO in round one.
After picking up two wins in the Legacy Fighting Alliance promotion, Jackson returned to Bellator, facing Ed Ruth on October 25, 2019, at Bellator 231. He lost the fight via controversial split decision. 4 out of 6 media outlets scored the fight for Jackson.
Jackson faced Kiichi Kunimoto on December 21, 2019, at Bellator 236. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Jackson then faced promotional newcomer Jordan Mein on July 24, 2020, at Bellator 242. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Jackson then faced former UFC Lightweight Champion and former Bellator Lightweight Championship contender, Benson Henderson on November 28, 2020, at Bellator 253. Jackson controlled a majority of the fight, winning via unanimous decision in an upset victory.
Jackson next faced Neiman Gracie on April 2, 2021, at Bellator 255. He won the close fight via unanimous decision.
Jackson faced Paul Daley on June 11, 2021, at Bellator 260. Jackson used his wrestling to dominate Daley, winning the fight via unanimous decision.
Jackson was scheduled to face former Bellator Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima on May 13, 2022, at Bellator London. However the fight was postponed to July 24, 2022, at Bellator 283 for undisclosed reasons. At the weigh-ins, Douglas Lima, came in at 172.8 lbs, 1.8 pounds heavy for his headlining welterweight bout. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Lima was fined a percentage of his individual purse, which went to Jackson. Jackson won the fight via unanimous decision.

#### Bellator Welterweight champion

Jackson fought for the Bellator Welterweight World Championship against reigning champion Yaroslav Amosov on November 17, 2023, at Bellator 301. In an upset, Jackson was able to stuff all of Amosov's takedowns and proceeded to knock him out with uppercuts in the third round, being the first person to defeat Amosov ever.
Jackson was scheduled to face 2023 PFL welterweight champion Magomed Magomedkerimov in a 3 round non-title crossover fight on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator. However, Magomedkerimov withdrew due to injury in January 2024 and was replaced by Ray Cooper III, with the bout taking place at a catchweight of 182 pounds. Jackson dominated the bout with leg kicks and eventually won by technical knockout due to ground and pound in the second round.
Jackson faced Ramazan Kuramagomedov on June 22, 2024, at Bellator Champions Series 3. He lost the bout and championship by unanimous decision.

### Professional Fighters League

On February 11, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Jackson will join the 2025 PFL Welterweight Tournament.
Jackson is scheduled to face Andrey Koreshkov in a welterweight bout at the 2025 PFL World Tournament: First Round at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, FL on April 11, 2025.

## Personal life

Jackson is married to his wife Yanisuka. They have 2 children and 2 stepchildren.
Jackson is a fan of WWE, with his nickname "The Ass-Kicking Machine" being inspired from an angle between The Rock, Kane, and Hulk Hogan.

## Championships and accomplishments

* Bellator MMA
** Bellator Welterweight World Championship (One time; former)
** PFL vs. Bellator Champions of Champions Super Belt (One time)
* Titan Fighting Championship
** Titan FC Welterweight Championship (One time)
* Legacy Fighting Alliance
** LFA Welterweight Championship(One time)
* Victory Fighting Championships
** VFC Welterweight Championship (One time) (One time)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 23 matches | 18 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 2 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 9 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 18–5 | Ramazan Kuramagomedov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator Champions Series 3 | June 22, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Dublin, Ireland | Lost the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 18–4 | Ray Cooper III | TKO (leg kick and punches) | PFL vs. Bellator | February 24, 2024 | 2 | 0:23 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Catchweight (182 lb) bout. For "PFL vs. Bellator Champion of Champions" Super Belt. |
| Win | 17–4 | Yaroslav Amosov | KO (punches) | Bellator 301 | November 17, 2023 | 3 | 2:08 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Won the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 16–4 | Douglas Lima | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 283 | July 22, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | Catchweight (172.8 lb) bout; Lima missed weight. |
| Win | 15–4 | Paul Daley | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 260 | June 11, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Catchweight (175 lb) bout. |
| Win | 14–4 | Neiman Gracie | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 255 | April 2, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 13–4 | Benson Henderson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 253 | November 19, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 12–4 | Jordan Mein | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 242 | July 24, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 11–4 | Kiichi Kunimoto | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 236 | December 21, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 | Ed Ruth | Decision (split) | Bellator 231 | October 25, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Hemerson Souza | Decision (split) | LFA 71 | July 12, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Won the vacant LFA Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–3 | Scott Futrell | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | LFA 64 | April 26, 2019 | 2 | 4:07 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | Catchweight (180 lb) bout. |
| Win | 8–3 | Jordon Larson | TKO (punches) | Bellator 204 | August 17, 2018 | 1 | 3:52 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | |
| Loss | 7–3 | Kyle Stewart | TKO (ankle injury) | Dana White's Contender Series 3 | July 25, 2017 | 2 | 0:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Dhiego Lima | TKO (punches) | Titan FC 42 | December 2, 2016 | 1 | 2:10 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | Won the Titan FC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–2 | Rodrigo Cavalheiro | Decision (unanimous) | Titan FC 41 | September 9, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Victor Moreno | TKO (punches) | Victory Fighting Championship 48 | February 19, 2016 | 1 | 1:55 | Urbandale, Iowa, United States | Won the vacant VFC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–2 | Michael Lilly | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Time 20 | August 29, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 3–2 | Hayder Hassan | TKO (punches) | CFA 12 | October 12, 2013 | 3 | 2:32 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Michael Johnson | Submission (triangle choke) | Fight Time 12 | November 2, 2012 | 2 | 2:05 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | Catchweight (173 lb) bout; Johnson missed weight. |
| Win | 2–1 | Efrain Cintron | Submission (triangle choke) | Fight Time 11 | August 24, 2012 | 2 | 1:10 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Colby Covington | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Time 10 | June 22, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jerome Buchanan | TKO (punches) | Fight Time 9 | April 27, 2012 | 1 | 0:55 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |