Bacchus Marsh’s Jack Jenkins lands UFC deal despite Dana White criticism

He was labelled a “one trick pony” by UFC president Dana White but Australia’s newest UFC star isn’t afraid to fight back targeting a debut in Perth.

“One trick pony” or not, Jack Jenkins is Australia’s latest UFC rising star.

The 28-year-old from Bacchus Marsh is now among the world’s best mixed martial artists after signing a UFC on contract.

Jenkins, a former kickboxer, earned the deal after winning the Dana White Contender Series in Las Vegas.

But it wasn’t without controversy after UFC president White labelled the former St Patrick’s College student a “one trick pony” after his fight against Freddy Emiliano Linares which Jenkins won in three rounds.

“When I spoke to him (White) at the back I was like ‘based on that fight I agree with you’, it was a one trick thing,” the featherweight fighter said.

“But if he (Linares) kept giving me the same thing I would be an idiot not to go to it. I took all of his best weapons, and the things he was good at, and completely nullified his game.

“If that was a UFC debut instead of a contenders series fight you would be rapt.”

Jack Jenkins tries to kick his opponent during a fight. Picture: Eternal MMA.

With his deal now signed, Jenkins is eyeing off a UFC debut — potentially in February next year when UFC 284 comes to Perth.

The fight card, which is yet to be announced, could include fellow Australians including featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

“I’ve essentially just been drafted, so I’ve got to perform before I can start to make some real money,” Jenkins said.

“I just broke even (at the last fight to get UFC deal). I’m far and away from reaping the rewards of it yet.

“Once you get in, if you do well, you get looked after.

“Hopefully I’ll go again hopefully in December or when the UFC comes to Perth in February.”

Jack Jenkins gets ready to fight in MMA. Picture: Eternal MMA.

Before the UFC returns to Australia for the first time since 2019, Jenkins knows there’s work ahead to continue developing his skill set.

He believes he is “dangerous everywhere” and is a “good MMA fighter”.

“I’m more than a one trick pony,” he said.

“I’m not just a kickboxer who has good kicking and good punches. I cut him (my contender opponent) open and I painted the canvas with his blood.

“I’m going to work on a little bit of my offensive grapple boxing — being able and punch and elbow from inside the clinch.”

It’s now about continuing to prove the critics wrong.

“For me it was just about getting in and now I’m here and I believe I can get to the top,” he said.

“I thought for a couple of years I was at that level (UFC), not just to compete, but to do well at that level.

“For me, from here, I think I can compete at top 10 level. But you don’t get there by saying it, you get there by doing it.

“I’ve got to go in there and get a couple of wins.”

Jenkins’ success in the US has hit close to home with friends and family dreaming of seeing him in the octagon.

“Bacchus Marsh was hugely pivotal (for my career),” he said.

“I have a huge support community. I’ve been getting a lot of messages from people I don’t know saying you’ve put Bacchus Marsh on the map.

“Some kids have messaged saying ‘I’m from Bacchus Marsh and it is awesome to see you do that’.

“It’s awesome to see people’s faith in me was not unfounded.”