Lorenz Larkin does not think his opponent for the upcoming Netflix card should have even been an option.
The former Bellator title challenger will be among the names competing on the undercard of the streaming platform’s very first MMA event on May 16.
Before Ronda Rousey makes her comeback against Gina Carano and there are headline outings for Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz, Larkin will fight Jason Jackson at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome.
‘The Monsoon’ is thrilled to be fighting the former champion, but he is shocked the matchup was possible.
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Lorenz Larkin baffled UFC ignored potential Jason Jackson signing
‘The Ass-Kicking Machine’ is a couple of years on from his reign as Bellator welterweight champion. Jackson knocked out Yaroslav Amosov in shocking fashion to end the Ukrainian’s undefeated 27-fight run in the cage.
The Jamaican has lost two of his last three fights, most recently via split decision against highly touted PFL talent Thad Jean. That was Jackson’s last fight in the promotion, and he was subsequently picked up by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions for the May 16 event on Netflix.
That came as good news to Larkin, a veteran of the UFC and Strikeforce who was not expecting such a big assignment.
But while he’s happy to be sharing the Octagon with Jackson, he is shocked that the UFC did not bring the ex-Bellator champ to the Octagon instead.
“I was happy, but then on the other end, I was like, ‘What the f—?’” Larkin said during a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio.
“When they told me the name, I was pumped, but I was like, ‘What the f—?’ How did – like, I get it. I’m on the older end of the spectrum, you know what I mean? But Jason, bro. How the f— is he not signed to the UFC?
“It’s almost like, for me, I was just like in a way, disgusted, bro,” he added.
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Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
While Jackson is coming off a loss, the 39-year-old Larkin was on the right side of an emphatic knockout last time out.
In what was billed as a title eliminator by the PFL in September 2024, ‘The Monsoon’ stopped Levan Chokheli in less than two minutes. However, he was not re-signed by the organization after completing his deal.
Larkin has lost just one of his last 11 fights, but…
2026-04-04 13:00:00
