Jalin Turner wants to be first to finish Thiago Moises but ready to go distance at UFC on ESPN+ 34

Jalin Turner has finished all his professional wins, but he will be facing a man who’s never been stopped in his next fight.

Turner (9-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) faces Thiago Moises at UFC on ESPN+ 34 on Saturday, which will take place at the UFC Apex and stream live on ESPN+.

Moises has four blemishes on his record, but all his losses have been by decision. So while Turner is expecting another stoppage win, he knows it won’t be easy.

“I always love calling out my first-round finish, but he’s durable,” Turner told MMA Junkie. “He hasn’t been finished, so I do wanna test that and see if I can finish him in the first round, but first round, third round, I’m ready for whatever comes to the table. I’m ready to go five rounds if need be. First round is what I’m predicting, but I’m ready to go the full 15 (minutes).”

Both men are in a similar position, having split their last four appearances. Turner has aspirations of climbing the lightweight ranks and sees Moises (13-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) as the right fight to propel him one step forward.

“I was willing to fight whoever,” Turner said. “I just wanted to get a fight in. I didn’t care who it was, what style it was. I told my manager just give me a name, I don’t care who. They throw Thiago at me; it is a good fight. I feel like it’s a who-wants-to-go-up-the-ladder type of fight between me and him. We’re both up and down in the UFC, so now it’s time to see who’s going to make it up to that next level.”

Most of Moises’ wins have come by submission. He’s coming off a first-round heel-hook finish of Michael Johnson in May, and Turner expects him to try and drag the fight to the mat.

“I think he’s going to try and stay on the ground. He’s gonna try and take it there no doubt,” Turner said. “If he does partake in the stand-up battle, I don’t think it’s gonna stay there pretty long. He’s probably not gonna enjoy being hit by somebody with a seven-inch reach advantage against him, so he’s gonna resort to what he knows best and what he feels is gonna win him the fight. All that is expected, and I’m prepared for all of that.”