‘I didn’t want to go out’ – Emotional UFC star sheds a tear after revealing thoughts before retiring at 29 years old
Former UFC star Jalin Turner was telling himself not to not fight moments before his final UFC bout. Turner hung up the gloves at just 29 years of age following his defeat to Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC 313. Turner was submitted by Bahamondes less than three minutes into their UFC 313 fightGetty The pair embraced after the fight and Turner announced he was retiringGetty The lightweight contender was ranked 13th in the world heading into his main card fight, but suffered a first round triangle choke submission defeat. His fight came before Justin Gaethje defeated Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event of UFC 313, which also witnessed Alex Pereira drop his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev. The loss marked Turner’s second consecutive defeat and the fourth setback in his last five UFC fights, having also lost to Renato Moicano at UFC 300 in April beforehand. When asked about how he was feeling in the changing rooms at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena before what turned out to be his final UFC fight, Turner got very emotional. “I was feeling heavy, but I felt at home and a little bit at piece,” he told Ariel Helwani. “I started trying to warm up, trying to get through the nerves, get through the feelings. “I was like: ‘Damn, I don’t want to go out there.’ I was like: ‘No, I don’t want to go out there’. “I start moving, warming up, start going through the motions, hitting pads and everything starts coming together again. “I was getting my wits about me and started feeling good. So I was like: ‘OK, this is what I’m good at, I’ve done this for a long time – go perform.’ “I’m just telling myself: ‘It’s gonna be like hard sparring, don’t think too much of it. As soon as you go out there and hear your music, you’re gonna lock in. Turner revealed he was telling himself not to go out and fight at UFC 313Getty He explained his emotional thought process on The Ariel Helwani ShowThe Ariel Helwani Show ‘The Tarantula’ finishes his MMA career with a 14-9 recordGetty “I’m standing in the walk way and I’m just praying, asking God to be with me and protect me. Protect my opponent, make sure everything is good. “Asking to give me strength and give me courage. And then I walked out and we go fight.” Turner was considering retiring after his loss at UFC 300, due to a failed walk-off knockout in the the opening round that ultimately cost him the fight. He later admitted experiencing a tough time in the months that followed for not puling the trigger, but chose to contest one more fight after conversations with his friends, family and a therapist. He added that he felt ‘relaxed’ and ‘crisp’ as he traded blows early in the bout, before being dragged to the ground and tapping out to his fellow lightweight contender. In the immediate aftermath, Turner made his way over to press row to inform the media that he was retiring from the sport. Turner said time is ‘on my good side’ after retiring from MMAGetty “Thank you for all the love and support!” Turner wrote on Instagram after the fight. “I started training MMA at 18 in 2013. I started training in my backyard, a SoCal, LA born, IE raised kid with no path and a big dream. “God opened the door to MMA when I didn’t know where else to go. I gave myself four years to fight in a big promotion and I did then the 5th year I got to the UFC in 2018. “Made it to the top ten in the toughest division. I made it in a video game. “Looking back It doesn’t feel real. I love you all. I’m sorry I lost my focus and fire earlier than ever expected. “29 years young time is on my good side. I wish I could reply to everyone’s messages. “Just know all the positivity has helped me more than you all know I appreciate it all!” Where to buy UFC London tickets *If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue. Please note that Stubhub and Viagogo are ticket resale sites and as such, tickets may be listed at above face value prices. With the UFC only coming to the UK a handful of times per year, the opportunity to see MMA’s biggest stars in action can be limited. However, this month UK-based MMA fans will have the opportunity to see the excitement live as the UFC returns to the 02 arena for UFC Fight Night 254, Edwards vs Brady. See some of the UK’s finest as Leon Edwards, Molly McCann, Nathaniel Wood and more take to the Octagon in what’s set to be a thrilling night of fights. To get tickets to UFC London, follow the links below. UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady (02 Arena, 22 March) UFC London tickets at Ticketmaster, from £308.40 – buy here UFC London tickets at Vivid Seats, from £316 – buy here UFC London tickets at Stubhub, from £181 – buy here UFC London tickets at Viagogo, from £209 – buy here For fans looking for an unrivalled Fight Night experience, Seat Unique offers UFC
Former UFC star Jalin Turner was telling himself not to not fight moments before his final UFC bout.
Turner hung up the gloves at just 29 years of age following his defeat to Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC 313.
The lightweight contender was ranked 13th in the world heading into his main card fight, but suffered a first round triangle choke submission defeat.
His fight came before Justin Gaethje defeated Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event of UFC 313, which also witnessed Alex Pereira drop his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev.
The loss marked Turner’s second consecutive defeat and the fourth setback in his last five UFC fights, having also lost to Renato Moicano at UFC 300 in April beforehand.
When asked about how he was feeling in the changing rooms at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena before what turned out to be his final UFC fight, Turner got very emotional.
“I was feeling heavy, but I felt at home and a little bit at piece,” he told Ariel Helwani.
“I started trying to warm up, trying to get through the nerves, get through the feelings.
“I was like: ‘Damn, I don’t want to go out there.’ I was like: ‘No, I don’t want to go out there’.
“I start moving, warming up, start going through the motions, hitting pads and everything starts coming together again.
“I was getting my wits about me and started feeling good. So I was like: ‘OK, this is what I’m good at, I’ve done this for a long time – go perform.’
“I’m just telling myself: ‘It’s gonna be like hard sparring, don’t think too much of it. As soon as you go out there and hear your music, you’re gonna lock in.
“I’m standing in the walk way and I’m just praying, asking God to be with me and protect me. Protect my opponent, make sure everything is good.
“Asking to give me strength and give me courage. And then I walked out and we go fight.”
Turner was considering retiring after his loss at UFC 300, due to a failed walk-off knockout in the the opening round that ultimately cost him the fight.
He later admitted experiencing a tough time in the months that followed for not puling the trigger, but chose to contest one more fight after conversations with his friends, family and a therapist.
He added that he felt ‘relaxed’ and ‘crisp’ as he traded blows early in the bout, before being dragged to the ground and tapping out to his fellow lightweight contender.
In the immediate aftermath, Turner made his way over to press row to inform the media that he was retiring from the sport.
“Thank you for all the love and support!” Turner wrote on Instagram after the fight.
“I started training MMA at 18 in 2013. I started training in my backyard, a SoCal, LA born, IE raised kid with no path and a big dream.
“God opened the door to MMA when I didn’t know where else to go. I gave myself four years to fight in a big promotion and I did then the 5th year I got to the UFC in 2018.
“Made it to the top ten in the toughest division. I made it in a video game.
“Looking back It doesn’t feel real. I love you all. I’m sorry I lost my focus and fire earlier than ever expected.
“29 years young time is on my good side. I wish I could reply to everyone’s messages.
“Just know all the positivity has helped me more than you all know I appreciate it all!”
Where to buy UFC London tickets
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue. Please note that Stubhub and Viagogo are ticket resale sites and as such, tickets may be listed at above face value prices.
With the UFC only coming to the UK a handful of times per year, the opportunity to see MMA’s biggest stars in action can be limited.
However, this month UK-based MMA fans will have the opportunity to see the excitement live as the UFC returns to the 02 arena for UFC Fight Night 254, Edwards vs Brady.
See some of the UK’s finest as Leon Edwards, Molly McCann, Nathaniel Wood and more take to the Octagon in what’s set to be a thrilling night of fights.
To get tickets to UFC London, follow the links below.
UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady (02 Arena, 22 March)
- UFC London tickets at Ticketmaster, from £308.40 – buy here
- UFC London tickets at Vivid Seats, from £316 – buy here
- UFC London tickets at Stubhub, from £181 – buy here
- UFC London tickets at Viagogo, from £209 – buy here
For fans looking for an unrivalled Fight Night experience, Seat Unique offers UFC London hospitality packages complete with floor-level seating, UFC athlete appearances, post-fight Octagon experiences and more.
Get your UFC London hospitality tickets below.
UFC London hospitality tickets (02 Arena, 22 March)
- UFC London hospitality at Seat Unique, from £4,599 – buy here
