Eugene Jackson

Eugene Jackson (born September 23, 1966) is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce. Jackson was the only Strikeforce U.S. Middleweight Champion.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Jackson compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 9-3-1 that included winning the Bas Rutten Invitational 1 Middleweight tournament over Joe Doerksen as well as losing to future Pride Middleweight Champion, Wanderlei Silva whilst competing for the IVC Cruiserweight Championship before signing for UFC in 1999.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Jackson made his UFC debut at middleweight on July 16, 1999, against Royce Alger at UFC 21. He won the fight via KO with punches in the second round.

Jackson then faced Keiichiro Yamamiya on November 19, 1999, at UFC 23. He won the fight via KO with a punch in the third round.

Jackson then faced Sanae Kikuta on April 14, 2000, at UFC 25. He lost the fight via an armbar submission in the first round.

Jackson then faced Jeremy Horn on September 22, 2000, at UFC 27. He lost the fight via an armbar submission in the first round.

Jackson then faced Ricardo Almeida on September 28, 2001, at UFC 33. He lost the fight via a triangle choke submission in the first round.

Jackson then faced Keith Rockel on January 11, 2002, at UFC 35. He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round thus snapping a three-fight losing streak.

Jackson's final UFC bout came against Mark Weir on July 13, 2002, at UFC 38. He lost the fight via KO with a punch in the first round.

Strikeforce Jackson made his Strikeforce debut against Jorge Ortiz on March 10, 2006, at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Jackson then faced Mike Seal on June 9, 2006, at Strikeforce: Revenge. He won the fight via TKO due to punches in the second round.

Jackson then faced Ronald Jhun for the inaugural Strikeforce U.S. Middleweight Championship on December 8, 2006, at Strikeforce: Triple Threat. He won the fight via a rear naked choke submission in the first round thus being the sole person to win the title.

Jackson's final fight came against Joe Riggs on September 29, 2007, at Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion. He lost the fight via KO due to punches in the first round.

Personal life Jackson appeared as a playable character in the video game, Ultimate Fighting Championship that was released in 2000.

Jackson is the father of two sons, Nikko and Casey who were both mixed martial artists and worked as martial arts trainers at East Palo Alto gym and Rogue Empire respectively. Nikko died in September 2020.

Jackson runs Gladiators Training Academy in East Palo Alto, California, wherein he has trained fighters that include UFC alumni, Ashlee Evans-Smith.

Additionally, Jackson works for East Palo Alto youth empowerment charity, Live in Peace.

Championships and accomplishments

Bas Rutten Invitational 1 Bas Rutten Invitational 1 Middleweight Tournament Strikeforce Strikeforce U.S. Middleweight Championship (One time, first, last) Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Encyclopedia Awards Fight of the Night (One time) Knockout of the Night (One time) Submission of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Joe Riggs KO (punches) Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Ronald Jhun Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce: Triple Threat

San Jose, California, United States Win

Mike Seal TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Revenge

San Jose, California, United States Win

Jorge Ortiz Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Tony Fryklund TKO (guillotine choke) Battleground 1: War Cry

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Mark Weir KO (punch) UFC 38

London, England Win

Keith Rockel Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 35

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Ricardo Almeida Submission (triangle choke) UFC 33

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jeremy Horn Submission (armbar) UFC 27

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Loss

Sanae Kikuta Submission (armbar) UFC 25

Tokyo, Tokyo, Canada Win

Keiichiro Yamamiya KO (punch) UFC 23

Urayasu, Chiba, Japan Win

Royce Alger KO (punch) UFC 21

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States Loss

Wanderlei Silva TKO (submission to punches) IVC 10: World Class Champions

Brazil Win

Jake Laroche KO (punches) WCNHBC: West Coast NHB Championships 2

Compton, California, United States Win

Joe Doerksen Submission (neck crank) BRI 1: Bas Rutten Invitational 1

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Tom Bolger Submission (guillotine choke) BRI 1: Bas Rutten Invitational 1

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Joe Riley Submission (choke) BRI 1: Bas Rutten Invitational 1

|Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Mark Walker Submission (forearm choke) BRI 1: Bas Rutten Invitational 1

Denver, Colorado, United States Draw

Beau Hershberger Draw NG 9: Neutral Grounds 9

Win

Ronald Jhun Technical Submission (forearm choke) SB 8: SuperBrawl 8

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Dustin Dawson Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) SB 8: SuperBrawl 8

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Tim Lajcik Submission (rear-naked choke) IFC WC 2: Warriors Challenge 2

California, United States Win

Mason White Submission (choke) IFC WC 2: Warriors Challenge 2

California, United States Win

Toby Oberdine Submission (rear-naked choke) IFC WC 2: Warriors Challenge 2

California, United States Loss

M Wahyudi Submission (armbar) IFC WC 1: Warriors Challenge 1

Jackson, California, United States