Report | Dean Barry Released From The UFC Following Last Month’s Promotional Debut

Dean BarryDublin striker, Dean Barry has been handed his official release from the UFC this Wednesday evening, despite featuring just last month in a UFC Vegas 52 preliminary card opener against Mike Jackson in his first fight under the banner of the organization. Dean Barry, a native of Tallaght, and trainee of Team Ryano under head […]

Dean Barry

Dublin striker, Dean Barry has been handed his official release from the UFC this Wednesday evening, despite featuring just last month in a UFC Vegas 52 preliminary card opener against Mike Jackson in his first fight under the banner of the organization.

Dean Barry, a native of Tallaght, and trainee of Team Ryano under head coach, Andy Ryan, had previously signed with the UFC last year ahead of a projected debut on ‘Fight Island’ against Jackson, before he was ultimately released from the organization.

Resigned to the UFC following a first round knockout win over Drew Lipton at Titan FC 73, Barry made his awaited Octagon debut back in April at UFC Vegas 52, suffering a first round disqualification loss against Jackson after an eye gouge left the latter unable to continue beyond the foul.

The pairing came as a rather topsy-turvy outing for both overall, with Barry penalized earlier for a pair of low groin strikes, courtesy of a spinning back kick, and then a round kick which landed low on Jackson.

Dean Barry has been handed his walking papers following last month’s debut DQ loss

However, prior to the eye gouge – which was deemed intentional, Barry had stunned Jackson at the fence with strikes, resulting in a disqualification loss as Barry fell to 4-2 off the back of his welterweight debut with the organization. 

Per an initial report from MMA Fighting reporters, Damon Martin, and Guilherme Cruz this Wednesday evening, Barry has since been handed his release from the UFC following his organizational debut loss against Jackson.

“Dean Barry has been released from the UFC, per multiple sources confirmed to myself and @guicruzzz (Guilherme Cruz),” Damon Martin tweeted. “Barry suffered a DQ loss in his debut fight with Mike Jackson. Full story coming later to @MMAFighting.”

Following the loss, Barry, who has since deleted his Twitter account, gained flak from fans and critics of his performance, when he claimed that Jackson had taken the easy way out of the fight despite suffering an eye gouge

“To be honest with you, I thought he (Mike Jackson) took the easy way out there,” Dean Barry said in a video posted on his social media. “Didn’t want to stay, didn’t want to continue fighting. Even when I kicked him low, he was talking on the ground to me for ages. Like, if you get hit in the nuts, you can’t be talking like that. Same with the eye poke. Straight after the ref called the fight off, he was fine. Both eyes open perfectly. He said he can’t open his eyes.”

Dean Barry Released From UFC Weeks After DQ Loss To Mike Jackson

Dean Barry’s stay with the UFC ended up being short-lived, as he’s been reportedly released from the promotion two weeks after a disqualification loss. The news of Barry’s release was first reported by MMA Fighting. Barry’s UFC debut came to a screeching halt after eye-gouging Mike Jackson just minutes into the fight. Before earning a…

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Dean Barry’s stay with the UFC ended up being short-lived, as he’s been reportedly released from the promotion two weeks after a disqualification loss.

The news of Barry’s release was first reported by MMA Fighting.

Barry’s UFC debut came to a screeching halt after eye-gouging Mike Jackson just minutes into the fight. Before earning a knockdown and committing the foul, he threw a spinning back kick to Jackson’s groin that briefly stopped the action.

Jackson opted to continue fighting and Barry’s second foul ended up bringing the fight to a close and handing him a disqualification loss.

Barry and Jackson were supposed to fight on two separate occasions in 2021, but each fighter had to withdraw one time apiece. Before making his UFC debut, he earned a first-round knockout over Drew Lipton at Titan FC 73 last December.

Barry had been hyped as one of the top Irish prospects following vicious finishes over the likes of Abdulla Al Bousheiri in UAE Warriors, and over Corey Samuels at Titan FC 55.

Entering the fight with Barry, Jackson hadn’t competed since his fight against CM Punk at UFC 225 in 2018. The disqualification win over Barry was the first victory of his professional career.

As a 29-year-old prospect, Barry could get picked up by another promotion sooner rather than later and may work his way back into good graces with the UFC.

Do you think it was right for the UFC to release Dean Barry after one fight?

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Mike Jackson Disappointed He Didn’t Bet on Himself at UFC Vegas 52

Mike Jackson is disappointed he didn’t bet some money on himself from his fight at UFC Vegas 52 this past weekend (Sat. April 23, 2022). Jackson picked up the first victory of his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career under the UFC banner when opponent Dean Barry was disqualified for eye gouging. Shortly after the…

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Mike Jackson is disappointed he didn’t bet some money on himself from his fight at UFC Vegas 52 this past weekend (Sat. April 23, 2022).

Jackson picked up the first victory of his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career under the UFC banner when opponent Dean Barry was disqualified for eye gouging. Shortly after the contest, Jackson spoke to the media about his victory, expressing his regret for not betting on himself prior to the bout.

“I was supposed to bet on myself. I was going to but a G on myself. Damn. I think +900 was the end (betting) line? ‘Cause I think someone tagged me – some mother f*cking trolls, they be tagging me in that stupid sh*t. I think I was like +900 — I made somebody some life-changing money today. ‘Cause I had a bunch of people tell me ‘I’m putting a G, I’m putting 10Gs’ — I’m like, bro, why are y’all tweeting me? That’s too much pressure bro,” Jackson joked.

“But it was cool man. It sucks that the win came that way, but at the end of the day, I’m still a fighter. You want to get your hand raised from you finishing the fight as opposed to coming off a foul and things like that, right? It is what it is. Cause again, it’s a fight.”

Mike Jackson Jan
Mike Jackson vs. CM Punk, UFC 225

Jackson made a name for himself in the MMA community after finding himself in the midst of the CM Punk sweepstakes back in 2016. “The Truth” took on Mickey Gall in 2016 to determine who would be the welterweight to welcome former WWE star CM Punk inside the Octagon. Ultimately, Jackson was defeated by Gall via first-round submission in just 45 seconds.

However, Jackson was given a second opportunity in the UFC two years later, serving as Punk’s second-ever opponent. Jackson and Punk went all three rounds with one another in June of 2018 at UFC 225, initially being ruled a decision win for Jackson. However, the result was later overturned to a No Contest due to a positive marijuana test on Jackson’s part.

Now, Jackson has a professional win under his belt, although it may not have come the way he envisioned it. It will be interesting to see who the UFC decides to pair him up with next should he get another shot at competing inside the Octagon.

Who do you think Mike Jackson should face next? Let us know in the comments below!

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Mike Jackson Explains Talkativeness After UFC Vegas 52 Low Blow

Mike Jackson has opened up about why he was so gabby at UFC Vegas 52 during a time when most men would be muted in agonizing pain. Mike Jackson has only had three fights in the UFC, yet it’s undeniable that he has had one of the more unique runs in the promotion. He made…

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Mike Jackson has opened up about why he was so gabby at UFC Vegas 52 during a time when most men would be muted in agonizing pain.

Mike Jackson has only had three fights in the UFC, yet it’s undeniable that he has had one of the more unique runs in the promotion. He made his professional MMA debut in the UFC six years ago when taking on a young Mickey Gall. After being submitted by Gall in short order, he would face pro wrestling superstar CM Punk over two years later at UFC 225.

During the build-up and aftermath of the fight, the MMA world became much more acquainted with Jackson.

Mike Jackson
MMA News

One of the biggest talking points following that contest was that UFC President Dana White declared that we’d seen the last of Jackson in the UFC after what he considered to be a lackluster and low-effort performance by Jackson against Punk, despite Jackson cruising to a unanimous-decision victory. That bout was later overturned to a no-contest after Jackson tested positive for marijuana.

As if his fight with Punk wasn’t enough of a “circus,” Jackson’s UFC Vegas 52 bout against Dean Barry might have been the wildest moment of his UFC tenure thus far.

During the fight, Barry committed multiple fouls on Jackson. While it was the egregious eye poke that ultimately resulted in a DQ victory for Jackson, it was the spin-kick low blow that perhaps had people talking the most — and none more than Jackson himself.

While writhing in pain on the canvas after the groin shot, Jackson could be heard audibly and loquaciously expressing how much pain he was in as if he was commentating on the aftermath of the groin strike as experienced first-hand by the victim. He even requested for a replay in true commentator fashion.

One of the actual color commentators on duty, Paul Felder, took notice of Jackson’s talkativeness, noting that it was abnormal for any fighter to talk that much after being hit in the groin.

When asked during his post-fight presser why he was so outspoken after the foul, Jackson shed some insight.

“Look, that’s just how I speak. I’m very articulate, but I love fuckin’ words, right?” Jackson said. “And again, in the APEX, you can really hear things. And coincidentally, when I went down and rolled this way, it was a big-ass screen there with me laying on the ground. I was like, “Oh, shit! Show the replay!’ Because I was just curious. Because sometimes a  legal kick can feel illegal, right? 

“But I was cognizant of everything. I was coherent. I was ready to go as far as mentally. But my body, I felt the burn. My balls was burning. They were burning hot for a little bit, you know? And again, this is a fight, man. And I don’t want to go out there with some burnin’ balls and then this dude throws another spinning back kick and crushes me in the face or something because I wasn’t prepared.”

Readers will be delighted to learn that Jackson has provided an update, assuring MMA fans that his “balls” are no longer hot.

During the presser, Jackson stated that he will take it as it comes regarding if and when he competes in the UFC again. Jackson reportedly works as a photographer, videographer, and chronicler. And when he’s not training MMA, he also hobbies as a social influencer of sorts, including on his new Instagram handle, @shitsandgigglesbrand.

As for Dean Barry, his UFC debut obviously did not go as he had mapped out. He has since released a statement on Instagram addressing the UFC Vegas 52 fiasco and accused Jackson of “taking the easy way out” of a fight where he was getting ‘smoked.’

What did you make of Mike Jackson’s “commentary” after being hit in the groin during his UFC Vegas 52 bout against Dean Barry?

Continue Reading Mike Jackson Explains Talkativeness After UFC Vegas 52 Low Blow at MMA News.

“I Thought He Took The Easy Way Out” – Dean Barry Reflects On His DQ Loss To Mike Jackson

Dean BarryAt UFC Fight Night Night: Andrade vs. Lemos, Irish prospect Dean Barry made his long-awaited UFC debut. The skilled striker had been signed to the UFC in 2020, but a multitude of reasons resulted in him not making his first appearance until now. Dean Barry took on Mike Jackson, who fans will no doubt remember […]

Dean Barry

At UFC Fight Night Night: Andrade vs. Lemos, Irish prospect Dean Barry made his long-awaited UFC debut. The skilled striker had been signed to the UFC in 2020, but a multitude of reasons resulted in him not making his first appearance until now.

Dean Barry took on Mike Jackson, who fans will no doubt remember as the second fighter to compete against WWE star CM Punk inside the UFC. Early on in the fight, Barry was living up to his nickname, ‘The Sniper.’ He was piecing Jackson up with brutal strikes. However, a spinning back kick to the groin of Jackson saw the fight paused.

When it resumed, Barry continued to throw a barrage of strikes at Jackson, before landing a gruesome eye poke that resulted in the fight being called off. Whilst the commentary team seemed confident that the bout would be ruled a No Content, referee Chris Toigoni ruled the fight a DQ win to Jackson.

Dean Barry has since taken to his Instagram, where he posted a video in which he stated the following:

“Firstly I just wanna say, look, sorry about what happened tonight. It was an unintentional eye poke. I didn’t mean to poke him in the eye. I tried to frame off, and after I threw the flying knee, I tried to frame off and do it again. And I caught him in the eye. And they said backstage that they were taking that very strict, if anyone did poke someone in the eye. I was lighting him up at the time. I felt very heavy out there, it’s not my weight class so I felt really off. At the start, I felt a bit – Obviously getting the jitters for the first fight in the UFC and took me a minute to get into it.”

However, Dean Barry went on to state that he believes Jackson jumped at the opportunity to have the fight canceled:

“To be honest with ya, I thought he took the easy way out there. Didn’t want to continue fighting. Even when I kicked him low, he was talking on the ground to me for ages. Like if you get hit in the nuts, you can’t be talking like that. Same with the eye pokes, straight after the ref called the fight off he was fine. Both eyes open perfectly. He said he can’t open his eye so, look, I’ll take the rematch in a heartbeat.”

What are your thoughts on the eye poke? Would you like to see Dean Barry and Mike Jackson run it back?

CM Punk Has UFC 225 Loss Overturned Due To Positive Marijuana Test

CM PunkWWE star CM Punk made his pro MMA debut at UFC 203 back in 2016. Punks debut was shut down in the first round by Mickey Gall with a submission victory. Two years later, CM Punk made his return to the octagon where he faced Mike Jackson at UFC 225. The outcome was very much […]

CM Punk

WWE star CM Punk made his pro MMA debut at UFC 203 back in 2016. Punks debut was shut down in the first round by Mickey Gall with a submission victory.

Two years later, CM Punk made his return to the octagon where he faced Mike Jackson at UFC 225. The outcome was very much no different, whilst CM Punk was able to go the distance with Jackson he was once again outperformed. Leaving CM Punks MMA record 2-0 with a disappointed White insisting that this would be the last time we would see Punk in the UFC. 

CM Punks journey to triumph had been short lived.

Even though he managed to make it out of the first round and go the distance, White had still been left unimpressed.

“He got clipped a lot in that fight, it looked like he was hurt bad a couple of times.”

“I love the guy. He’s the nicest guy in the world. We gave him two shots. He had a lot of heart tonight, yeah, I think he should call it a wrap” (H/T BJPenn.com)

Since the loss at UFC 225, CM Punk has found his record updated. MMAJunkie confirmed through a Freedom of Information Act request and confirmation that Punks loss to Jackson had since been overturned. 

According to the report from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Jackson had tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical found in marijuana. It has been confirmed that Jackson had been penalized however the news of the result being overturned had only been confirmed recently. 

Official Statement Released:

“The official result of a full contact martial arts bout can be changed to a ‘No Contest’” if there is “an adverse post-bout disciplinary finding against a contestant”, Chris Slaby of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation had told MMAJunkie this Wednesday.  “As detailed in the consent order provided, Mr. Jackson tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol due to marijuana following the June 9, 2018 UFC event”. (H/T MMAJunkie)

Punk and Jackson have yet to fight in the UFC again. Whilst it is known that we may never see Punk fight again, Jackson had been scheduled to face Dean Barry this year, however that fight is yet to come to fruition. 

Do you think this loss overturned will mean a potential return for CM?