Midnight Mania! ‘Feeling Like I Didn’t Have A Choice’

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Jalin Turner didn’t have a fight booked seven days ago. Whatever his planned schedule was, it all shifted dramatically when he signed the dotted line and agreed to face Bobby Green this weekend (Sat. Dec. 2, 2023) in the co-main event of UFC Austin. Instead of his regular training program or perhaps even some time away from the gym, Turner is currently in the midst of what’s surely a brutal weight cut for the 6’3 Lightweight.

It’s a big risk for “The Tarantula,” especially since he’s already lost his last two and missed weight previously. Why subject himself to the unplanned suffering to fight a man below him in the rankings? Turner confirmed he received a pay raise to fight his fellow Californian, but during Wednesday’s press conference, he also revealed that UFC pressure played a major role in getting the fight booked.

When asked why he wanted the fight, Turner responded simply, “Feeling like I didn’t have a choice not to take it.” Turner also confirmed that he had already been offered (and turned down) the pay bump the first time UFC reached out to him about the fight. Despite the pressure, Turner confirmed he’s still good to go.

“I’m ready to fight,” Turner laughed. “That’s it! I gotta do my job. I’m ready to get this weight off and then go handle business.”

The conversation moved to what Turner hopes to gain from the potential win, and he expressed interest in rematching Dan Hooker, who defeated Turner via split-decision back in July in one of the year’s best fights. The recently injured “Hangman” must have heard his name, because he’s already replied online and doesn’t seem overly interested.

Though this bout wasn’t planned, Turner’s ensuing weight cut and subsequent performance against Green have become perhaps the biggest narrative leading up to UFC Austin. It’s anybody’s guess as to whether or not his gamble will pay off, or whether his choice to act as a company man will backfire.