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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
MMA Junkie Staff

Montel Jackson’s 18-second KO was as simple as finding an opening at UFC Denver

Montel Jacksonundefined beat Da’Mon Blackshear with a first-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 59 at Ball Arena in Denver.

Take a look inside the fight with Jackson, who put Blackshear away in just 18 seconds for a $50,000 bonus.

Montel Jackson def. Da'Mon Blackshear

Montel Jackson UFC on ESPN 59 knockout

Result: Montel Jackson def. Da’Mon Blackshear via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:18
Updated records: Jackson (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), Blackshear (14-7-1 MMA, 2-3-1 UFC)
Key stats: Jackson has won eight of nine fights and has back-to-back bonuses, but UFC Denver was his first fight in 15 months.

Jackson on the fight's key moment

Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Montal Jackson (red gloves) knocks out Da’Mon Blackshear (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

“I was just looking for an opening. That’s all I was looking for. My coaches did a good job preparing me for this and any other fight in the division, so hat’s off to them. Hat’s off to all my training partners back home.”

Jackson on struggling to find opponents

Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Da’Mon Blackshear (blue gloves) is helped by medical personnel after beating knocked out by Montal Jackson (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m feeling good. Thanks, Da’Mon, for taking a fight on short notice. A lot of guys in the division that are hiding – quit being chumps, man. Take real fights.”

Jackson on what he wants next

Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Montal Jackson (red gloves) celebrates after knocking out Da’Mon Blackshear (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

“Anybody – it don’t matter. I tell (my manager) all the time, ‘Man, sign a contract. Don’t even wait. Don’t even give him a chance to say no, man. Sign a contract. So anybody – anybody.”

To hear more from Jackson, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.

UFC on ESPN 59

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