From a $50 Flemington quaddie to a horse of his own: Jack ‘Pharjack’ Jenkins plots life after fighting

Rising featherweight star Jack Jenkins has big plans in the UFC. His story started with a first-round submission - but the real knock-out blow could come in retirement.

Jack Jenkins (L) has dreams of owning and racing his own horses once his fighting career is over. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Seven years ago, almost to the day, Jack Jenkins made his professional MMA debut, earning $300 for a first round submission win at the Reggio Calabria Club in Melbourne.

Back then, the laidback kid from Bacchus Marsh was pulling pints at the local to make ends meet. His knockabout approach to life and fighting meant Jenkins – nicknamed Pharjack in honur of Pharlap – always had a solid fan base.

“There were about 300 people there that night, and about 150 were tickets that I sold. The place emptied out when I finished,” the featherweight prospect laughs. “That was a common occurrence in Melbourne.

“They’d put me on at the start of the card, and I’d sell tickets, but the place would be empty by the time they got to the main event.”

He remembers how he spent his meagre pay check too.

“Mate, a $50 Flemington quaddie, a round of Carlton Draughts for the boys and a pair of new boxing gloves,” he says.

For the record, the quaddie didn’t get up.

A horse racing nut, Jenkins – who fights Jamall Emmers this weekend in Jacksonville – wants to win enough money during his fighting career to eventually move into racing.

Jenkins (L) made an instant impact in his UFC debut in Perth in February. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

“I love it, I always have,” he says. “My nanna got me into it when I was young.

“She’s in a nursing home now, so I’ll go and see her and we’ll watch a couple of races and talk about horses. I love it.

“I fancied myself as a bit of a horse trainer as a kid. I went down another path, but I’m hoping I can make enough money to run my own horses and have a bit of property one day.”

If his UFC debut in Perth in February is anything to go by, Jenkins won’t have any issues turning that dream into a reality.

Hit and don’t get hit. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

His unanimous decision win over Don Shainis was one of the most entertaining bouts on the card, and propelled him from a little-known battler to a genuine star of the sport in Australia.

Known for his vicious kicks, Jenkins has broken the leg of five opponents, and is looking forward to showcasing more of his skill on Sunday.

“He’s dangerous everywhere, and he’s long, so it’s a great match-up,” Jenkins said of Emmers. “I was stoked when they offered it to me, because I know he’s tough, and I know he’s good.

“It’s going to be a good barometer for me. I’ve got big aspirations, but you can only test yourself with what’s in front of you.”

Jenkins has seemingly done it all with a smile on his face. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

‘Pharjack’ isn’t looking too far ahead, but if all goes to plan, he’ll be fighting for a spot in the rankings in his next bout.

“It needs to be impressive, and I’m sitting down on my shots now,” he says. “Even to the extent of taking a little bit of risk to put myself in the position to get a finish.

“This sport is decided on a razor’s edge every single time, but that’s my mindset going in.”

Originally published as From a $50 Flemington quaddie to a horse of his own: Jack ‘Pharjack’ Jenkins plots life after fighting