Dustin Jacoby. UFC title shot.
Those two things might not be something people think of together, but the veteran light heavyweight wants fans to hear him out.
Jacoby (21-9-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) is scheduled to face Jimmy Crute on Feb. 1 at UFC 325. It’s a chance for Jacoby to get on a three-fight wining streak and, in his mind, make a case to get the next title shot at 205 pounds.
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“I’m right there, man,” Jacoby told MMA Junkie Radio. “I go in there and get a big KO, it wouldn’t be bizarre to call for a title shot.”
Jacoby says there have been a lot of rematches at the top, and sees some fatigue from the fan base over repetitive matchups. That’s why he thinks he should be considered in contention if he wins at UFC 325, plus he’s also got quite the resume with 14 knockouts to his name.
“When I win, I usually win by a big knockout, and it’s pretty exciting and electric,” Jacoby said. “I said it in the post-fight interview in my last fight, there’s nobody in this division that I cannot stand across from and make it a fight. I’m telling you: Jan Blachowicz and (Bogdan Guskov), I want one of those guys. I’m not knocking them. The whole division is tough and can put you out with a punch, but there’s not a single guy I can’t stand across from.
“I go in there and knock Jimmy Crute out, anybody at the top I’ll go for. I’ve been through it. It’s a not a feed this guy, build this guy up. I’m 37 years old, I’m at the end of my career, there’s no doubt about it. Do I have some life in me? Absolutely. Do I feel great? I do.”
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Jacoby very much likes the way his career is shaping up among the current state of the UFC light heavyweight division. He saw the matchup against Crute coming and feels it’s a nice style for him to do something big given Crute is more grappling oriented than he is.
“When guys try taking me down, it’s not as easy,” Jacoby said. “I think that they think it’s easy until they get in there with me, and it’s just a whole different presence when you get face to face. I think I’m pretty good at delivering damage when you’re trying to take me down, as well. Hopefully he goes in there, and it’s a good scrap, but I promise you, I think he’s going to be relentless with the wrestling at the beginning, and Crute is a guy that also fades a little bit. I don’t know if that’s going to be his only game plan, but I’m going to be prepared for it. I know my cardio always holds up.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dustin Jacoby: ‘It wouldn’t be bizarre’ to call for UFC title shot
