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.

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.”

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.”

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.