With his reputation in MMA rapidly growing, Jason Jackson believes he has what it takes to ‘clean out’ the UFC welterweight division.

The Jamaican-born athlete will make his eagerly-anticipated return to the cage at Bellator Champions Series: Dublin, on June 22.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Jason Jackson threatens to tear apart the UFC ahead of Bellator Champions Series: Dublin

On Saturday evening, Jason Jackson will go head-to-head with Ramazan Kuramagomedov in a bout fans can’t afford to miss.

In one corner stands a dominant Bellator champion, with UFC aspirations, and in the other, an undefeated fighter, willing to do whatever it takes to relieve his opponent of the belt.

However, while the Russian’s 12-0 record would be enough to strike fear into the hearts of even the most experienced of competitors, Jackson isn’t remotely concerned.

The reigning welterweight King has a history of overcoming the odds, previously claiming the Bellator Championship belt from Yaroslav Amosov, who’d entered the bout as 27-0.

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Blessed with a thunderous array of kicks and a remarkable fighting spirit, Jackson is renowned for doing whatever it takes to win. And with a record so impressive, he’s ready to start knocking on the door of the UFC, believing wholeheartedly that he has the beating of Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, and even Shavkat Rakhmonov.

In an interview with MMA Junkie, he claimed: “I’m gonna clean out Bellator and PFL, to the point where they’re like, ‘We need to let this guy go and do something else to build his legacy’. I wanna go to the UFC and become champion and clean out the division before I hang it up. I want to be the guy who’s done it all.”

However, despite all his accolades, the 33-year-old is upset that he’s still not getting the recognition he deserves.

He explained: “There is no respect being put on my name. They still doubt me. I haven’t been on the UFC-level to make it look as easy as I’m making it look now. I have beat former UFC champions. Once I get there, they will realize that they’ve been sleeping on me.”

Luckily, Jackson has his opportunity to catch the attention of fight enthusiasts around the globe this weekend. However, his title defense in the Irish capital isn’t the only blockbuster main event taking place on Saturday evening.

Bellator Dublin clashes with big UFC event

On the same evening, the UFC will hold its inaugural event in Saudi Arabia, as Robert Whittaker goes toe-to-toe with Iskram Aliskerov in a clash that has all the ingredients of an absolute barnburner.

While, in all likelihood, ‘Bobby Knuckles’ should have the skill set to leave his opponent chasing shadows, the Russian certainly isn’t coming to make up the numbers.

With outstanding grappling prowess and impressive victories over Warlley Alves and Phil Hawes, the Dagestani has earned his shot at the big boys. All he has to do now is prove he’s capable of dining at the top table.

Originally, Whittaker was scheduled to face-off with Khamzat Chimaev, until illness forced the Swede to withdraw. But rather than rest on his laurels, the Aussie agreed to take on Aliskerov, in a move that proved his self-belief beyond doubt.

Ultimately, ‘The Reaper’ epitomizes the saying, ‘Anytime, anyplace, anywhere’. However, according to his manager, Sean Strickland doesn’t have the same minerals.