UFC has posted an interview with Mike Jackson backstage at last night’s UFC 225 PPV in Chicago after Jackson defeated CM Punk via unanimous decision after three rounds.
Jackson gave Punk a lot of credit for again making the walk to the cage on Saturday.
“I knew Phil was going to be a tough guy. And if I couldn’t get him out of the first round with the knockout that I wanted, I knew it was going to go the distance. I know I hurt him a few times, but he’s a tough guy. I had to stay persistent with the pressure and that’s what I did.”
Jackson also commented on what it was like for Punk to take another fight in UFC.
“I don’t think people understand what it’s like to make the walk to the cage. It takes a lot. You have Phil, who’s coming from another sport in professional wrestling. Look, 100% respect for that. All the people who down talk him and are negative about him, look, these people aren’t even making the walk. You have to give him all the respect for just his willingness to jump in that cage.”
As reported earlier, UFC President Dana White was not a fan of the fight between Punk and Jackson and heavily criticize Jackson’s performance.
“Michael Jackson, I’m not happy with. This guy was acting like a goofball tonight. You get this opportunity to come in and fight CM Punk and you’re doing like, bolo punches to the body on top? Never looked like he was trying to finish the fight ever. Right? Looked like he could have finished the fight a few times. Never tried. I don’t know what that guy did for a living before we gave him this shot, whatever it was he needs to go back and do that again. He’s 0-2 as far as I’m concerned. I got the sense that he’s (Jackson) a complete f*cking idiot and I couldn’t wait for that fight to end. I regretted not putting it on Fight Pass.”