Fighter Jack Jenkins asks Venum for personalised horse racing shorts at UFC 305 in Perth

Rising featherweight contender ‘Phar’ Jack Jenkins could be fighting at UFC 305 in Perth next month wearing shorts inspired by Epimeles, the Caulfield Guineas contender he part owns.

Horse racing enthusiast ‘Phar’ Jack Jenkins is hoping to secure a thoroughbred-inspired design for his fight shorts when he steps out at UFC 305 in Perth. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Rising featherweight contender ‘Phar’ Jack Jenkins could be fighting at UFC 305 in Perth next month wearing shorts inspired by Epimeles, the Caulfield Guineas contender he part owns.

Jenkins, who saddled horses and did work experience at Ballarat during his younger years, will step out for his fourth fight for the promotion in Perth and has fired his shot to apparel sportswear company Venum ahead of next month’s pay-per-view.

Custom shorts are starting to become a common occurrence at fight cards, recently sported by the likes of Alex Pereira, Dustin Poirier, Bryce Mitchell and Ian Garry.

Max Holloway fought in custom floral shorts at UFC 300. Picture: Mark J

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Jenkins, who will square off against Gavin Tucker on August 18, is making his first appearance since suffering a dislocated elbow during a bout last September. And the man with the moniker inspired by one of our greatest racing champions said he was champing at the bit to get back into the octagon.

“Obviously I love my racing and could talk about it all day so to reflect that at a big event like UFC 305 would be huge,” Jenkins told Punters.

“It might be a longshot given they have only really been done for some of the marquee guys but you’re starting to see it more and more these days and it would be great to get it done.

“You’ve got guys like Bryce Mitchell with his camo shorts representing who he is, so it would be great if I could walk out at Perth with racing on my shorts.”

UFC fighter Jack Jenkins meets former Group 1 star Zaaki. Picture: Supplied

• Wet Flemington surface only concern for horse that’s ‘ready to win’

While admitting getting signed by the UFC and winning at his debut was hard to top as one of his favourite moments, not far behind was the moment the horse he part owns winning at Flemington.

That horse was Epimeles – a $15 chance in futures markets for the Caulfield Guineas and a winner of his first two starts, with the Flemington victory in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes.

Jenkins said he hoped he could have the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Dundeel colt featured on his shorts at UFC 305.

EPIMELES is SW28 for Dundeel in the Anzac Day Stakes & his second inbred to Zabeel, interestingly both Epimeles & Sunsets out of mares by sons of Danehill 🧐@busuttin@JohnnyA_24@OhukiaLodge@mmsnippets@ArrowfieldStud#ANZACDaypic.twitter.com/VnREc4YS4p

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) April 25, 2024

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“I’ve got this cartoon drawing of my horse Epimeles so I’d love to get him on there,” Jenkins said.

“When he won the Anzac Day Stakes at Flemington it was so huge, one of the best moments of my life.

“Obviously there’s my UFC debut and winning that but when he won at Flemington it was the best.”

Jack Jenkins (left) evades a kick from Chepe Mariscal at UFC 293 in Sydney in September last year. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

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While his upcoming fight at UFC 305 is well and truly his main focus, Jenkins has had a look at Saturday’s racing at Flemington and thinks a former Group 1 winner can recapture some form.

“I reckon Smokin’ Romans can run well there on a track with a bit of sting out of it,” Jenkins said.

“Jaylah Kennedy is on and she rides well. Being a jockey is similar to a fighter in a lot of ways and I like the way she just says it how it is.

“I’m pretty keen to see the former horse from Hong Kong (Big Me) run for Nick Ryan as well.”