By TXMMA Staff // Lauren Peterson // Photos by Mike Calimbas
Flying under the radar with 8 straight wins, Damon Jackon look ahead to coming out party at LFC 33
DALLAS, TX, July 3, 2014 – On July 18th Damon “The Leech” Jackson finally gets his chance to gain the recognition he has thus far deserved. The 25 year old fighter from Octagon MMA has gone undefeated since turning pro in 2012. Since that time he’s also screen a handful of talent from the area ascend to title opportunities and calls from the UFC. He’s been quiet but he’s also been biding his time. And with 8 straight wins all by finish his opportunity finally arrives at Legacy Fighting Championship 33.
Jackson will be challenging incumbent champion Leonard Garcia for the promotion’s lightweight title. With all those wins in a row one would see it might be the Leech’s time. However “Bad Boy” Garcia is no pushover having won 3 times in a row while also looking to get back into the UFC himself. Given recent history with Legacy title fights this one might go a long way towards helping the winner achieve his goals.
We caught up with Damon recently to talk about the upcoming fight and his career:
TXMMA Interview – Damon “The Leech” Jackson (Octagon MMA)
It started off with wrestling. In my off season I started teaching some classes and then began taking some intro fights.
I heard your nickname is the Leech. How did you that come about?
That also came from wrestling, I had a really strong top and bottom game and I never let up.
Getting into the nitty gritty, How do you predict this title fight will go and without giving away your game plan how will you approach this fight?
The guy has been fighting since I was 5. He’s a true vet. I do believe his style, picking it apart to what it is, he’s a brawler. He fights pretty wild. As long as I stay smart, use the right technique against him, I’ll come out on top of this one. It’s certainly going to be a tough fight. I’m not going to look past him at all. He’s lost a few fights on the ground. He’s fighting top level guys over there at LFC, putting them on the ground, so I just have to stay smart. One hundred percent technique.
If you were to win this fight what’s next for you?
Honestly I don’t think of it step by step, I feel like I am doing the right steps to get to the next level, Whatever that is. Right now the focus is winning that title with him being that top level guy. I remember watching this guy fight when I was a kid. First things first, one hundred percent focus on him and then I am ready for whatever is next.
How do you like training at Octagon and how do you think your training partners have helped you?
We have people constantly moving, constantly progressing, Sean Spencer UFC, newly-signed Hobar. Hobar was the 135 champion, Steven Peterson, all these top level guys. Training with them every day. Somebody is always in here constantly pushing you to the next level. (Sayif Saud) Best coach around, he’s up and coming just like us.
How do you think you have most improved when you switched to Octagon?
I think my most improved would be my transitions, from my feet to the ground. Taking people down instead of just yanking them with my head and actually being smart about it. Actually taking the proper steps towards whatever i’m wanting to accomplish. Not being real aggressive but coming in with a game plan and not only that sticking with the game plan.
Getting on the more personal side, how did you meet your wife?
We went to the same school. Missouri college, she played volleyball and I wrestled and our seasons were real close to each other. We were constantly in and out of that gymnasium. It was actually one of those weird stories. It was raining and I saw her running up to the gym and I stopped and asked her if she needed a ride. I gave her a ride but I didn’t really talk to her much. A couple weeks later we slowly started talking and the rest is history.
What does your wife think of you being an MMA fighter?
Well around that time is when I started my first fights so the whole time we have been together I have been a fighter. She’s been supporting me the whole way since day one. She knows how hard I train and how much time i spend in the gym. She knows i’m very passionate about it.
How does being a father affect your training?
It affects it because they don’t fully understand what it is I do. They think i’m coming in here just to wrestle everyday. They don’t understand i’m being punched and kicked or whatever punishment i’m taking that day. Whenever I come home I have to hit that switch. Get right back into daddy mode. Forget about whatever happened in the gym that day. Good or bad, coming in acting like i’m just a normal person. To them i’m nothing but dad and I don’t want them seeing that side of me.
Any last words for your opponent?
No, not really. The guy has been doing this for years. I don’t really want to go back and forth with him. Talking trash or smack or anything. He knows i’m going to be ready and I know he’s going to be ready. This is a must win for both of us. Someone has to win and someone has to lose.
Anyone you would like to thank?
Everyone at my gym. There’s a list that goes on and on. My coach always pushing me to the next level. And of course my fans that always come to my fights.