Mike Jackson’s long-awaited return to the UFC will have to wait a little longer.
The welterweight scrap between Jackson and newcomer Dean Barry has been pulled from the upcoming UFC Fight Island 8 card on Jan. 20 in Abu Dhabi.
Multiple sources confirmed the news to MMA Fighting after Barry first revealed the move over social media on Friday while adding that the current plan is to rebook the fight for either March or April.
“Well guys 20 minutes before 2020 ended I got a phone call to say Jackson won’t make the fight on January 20th you just can’t write this sh*t,” Barry wrote on Twitter. “Do not ask me why because I don’t know the full ins and outs and wish him the best.. We are been rescheduled for March/April in America.
“I was so ready to put this man’s lights out. I am devastated, truly devastated. I worked so hard for this! But I’ll use these next few weeks to keep getting better and make my UFC debut a special one. See you all soon. Everything happens for a reason.”
Well guys 20 minutes before 2020 ended I got a phone call to say Jackson wont make the fight on January 20th you just cant write this shit. Do not ask me why because I dont know the full ins and outsnd wish him the best.. We are been rescheduled for march/april in America. pic.twitter.com/amzDJieiQO
— Dean Barry (@Deanbarry123) January 1, 2021
At this time the details surrounding the fight being pulled from the card are not clear with Jackson unable to compete in January for undisclosed reasons.
A new date for the fight has also not been confirmed at this time but obviously the UFC is looking to keep the Jackson vs. Barry matchup made for later this year.
The fight was expected to serve as Jackson’s first appearance in the UFC since winning a unanimous decision over former WWE superstar turned MMA hopeful CM Punk in 2018. While Jackson had actually engaged in talks with the UFC for other fights since that time, nothing was official until he accepted the matchup with Barry.
Meanwhile, Barry’s octagon debut will now have to wait a little longer as the 3-1 prospect from Ireland looks to build on a two-fight win streak including victories in Titan FC and UAE Warriors.
The upcoming card on Jan. 20 will be headlined by a different welterweight fight as Michael Chiesa faces off with Neil Magny in a five round headliner from Abu Dhabi.