Mike Jackson has had an unusual career in the UFC thus far, but his story isn’t finished yet.
On April 23, Jackson (0-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will return to action for the first time since UFC 225 in June 2018 when he fought CM Punk. After multiple failed bookings, he’ll finally fight Irish debutant Dean Barry (4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in a welterweight battle.
The event does not currently have a publicly-announced location or venue.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Island first reported the booking.
Jackson, 36, was originally signed to the UFC as an opponent for Mickey Gall. The two competed against one another at UFC Fight Night 82, for the right to be CM Punk’s debut opponent. Gall submitted Jackson in 45 seconds.
After Gall went on to face and defeat Punk, Jackson was the next one tasked with fighting the former WWE champion. Two-and-a-half years after his debut, Jackson fought Punk and won a unanimous decision. However, as MMA Junkie learned in 2021, Jackson failed a drug test for marijuana and the result was overturned to a “no contest” – unbeknownst to the general public for two years. Jackson was also suspended three months.
Jackson and Barry were booked to fight twice in 2021, with each fighter pulling out once.
Due to travel issues and the canceled fight, Barry’s UFC deal was voided. He returned to the regional scene but struggled to find willing opponents. Eventually, he made his return to action at Titan FC 73 when he defeated Drew Lipton via 21-second knockout. All four of Barry’s pro wins have come by strikes.
With the addition, the April 23 lineup includes:
- Louis Cosce vs. Preston Parsons
- Qileng Aori vs. Cameron Else
- Clay Guida vs. Claudio Puelles
- Dean Barry vs. Mike Jackson
Mike ‘The Truth’ Jackson welcomes Ireland’s Dean Barry to UFC at April event
