Kate Jackson totally gets it: She’s going to be underestimated heading into her first Bellator title challenge.
On Dec. 21, Jackson (11-3 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) takes on women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (10-0 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) at Bellator 236 in Honolulu.
Taking on a dominant champion in her own backyard? Why wouldn’t she be underestimated?
“I don’t go out of my way to read about myself on social media, but probably,” Jackson told MMA Junkie, when asked if she’s being underestimated. “She’s undefeated, and it’s her home fight. There’s obviously always going to be more focus on her.
“That’s not something I have an issue with. I’m never particularly outgoing or anything like that. If the focus is on my opponent, that’s really not a problem for me.”
Underestimated or not, Jackson said it doesn’t change the reality of the situation. The United Kingdom-based fighter Jackson thinks she presents Macfarlane a tough challenge – especially on the ground.
“I think it’s a good matchup, ground-wise,” Jackson said. “I think it was only her last opponent who was a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. That seemed to be the fight that gave her the most problems, obviously up until the point she adjusted and stopped her. I think that definitely bodes well, really.”
Jackson’s opportunity to compete for gold in a major promotion has been a long time coming. Jackson, 33, has been competing as a professional for more than 10 years. While every fight is important in the grand scheme of things, Jackson doesn’t deny this is the biggest fight of her life..
“To a point, every fight is (your biggest) – this one definitely,” Jackson said. “It’s been a long time coming. I feel that I’ve gotten to a point in my game where I feel like it’s all coming together. We’ve worked on my striking an awful lot this year, as well. Getting my brown belt at the end of last year, the higher level jiu-jitsu competitions I’ve been doing. I think it’s all come at the right time.”
Fight fans are in for a good one, according to Jackson. Unwilling to predict an exact method or final outcome, Jackson thinks the matchup with Macfarlane will be exciting, regardless.
“I’m just really convinced it’s going to be an exciting fight,” Jackson said. “Obviously, so far she always ends up taking the fight to the ground. That seems to be where she wants the fight to go. That’s not something I have an issue with at all. But, obviously it starts out standing.
“So I’m looking forward to exchanging strikes, before we take it to the ground and see how things are.”
Bellator 236 takes place Dec. 21 at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The main card streams on DAZN after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Kate Jackson understands why she's being underestimated before Bellator 236