After recent reports suggested that Quinton Jackson was fighting on borrowed time, as he planned to pursue an acting career and depart mixed martial arts altogether, the Memphis,Tennessee native downplayed the rumours quickly.
While speaking to ESPN.co.uk, Jackson said he was misquoted by the media and insisted he is training hard for his upcoming bout with Matt Hamill at UFC 130.
“Matt Hamill’s a tough guy with good wrestling, and he moves forward. So hopefully it’ll be an exciting fight,” Jackson said.
Jackson and Hamill were originally featured in the co-main event but after both Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard became injured, the two light-heavyweights quickly found themselves promoted to main event status.
Never one to shy away from a camera or a microphone, Jackson’s colorful personality has contributed to his success in and outside of the UFC. Last year, Jackson was cast alongside actor Bradley Cooper in the remake of The A-Team.
And while he has shown a desire to continue his acting career, Jackson’s first priority is to fight but he does not intend to be doing it for much longer.
Jackson, who turns 33 this year, admits he is not the same fighter he used to be.
“There are young guys coming in and doing good. I’ve been fighting for a long time and it’s no secret that I don’t fight the same way I used to,” he said.
“Going through each camp I go through all these pains and think, ‘Man I don’t want to do this anymore’. But after the fight I say, ‘OK, I’ll give it one more’. So who knows? But at 35 I’m done.”
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