Losing in mixed martial arts is different than in almost every other sport.
Sometimes you get knocked out. Other times, you get out-fought, the judges don’t see it your way, or you get submitted.
The latter happened to Jalin Turner on Saturday night on the main card of UFC 313, and he wasted no time deciding to walk away from the sport.
Turner came out firing shots in the first minute of his anticipated clash with Ignacio Bahamondes before a body clash led to a takedown.
Turner landed on top, and he was aggressively looking to land elbows.
Bahamondes didn’t just defend the strikes well; he ultimately wound up locking Turner in a triangle choke to win the fight by submission. Here is a look at the finish that also earned Bahamondes a Performance of the Night bonus.
After the official decision was being read, you could hear Turner say on the broadcast, “That’s it for me,” as he congratulated Bahamondes on his performance. Bahamondes and others attempted to talk Turner out of it, but he seemed to have made his decision.
As he left the Octagon, longtime MMA journalist John Morgan spoke to Turner, who confirmed what we could hear of his conversation in the Octagon.
During an interview with Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter, Turner tearfully confirmed he was going to retire again.
During the post-UFC 313 presser, UFC President Dana White said someone had talked Turner out of retiring, but that info didn’t make it to any outlets, so it’s unclear if that is the case.
Turner is just 29 years old, but he is definitely in a tough patch. The loss to Bahamondes was his second defeat in a row and his fourth in his last five fights.
Turner’s record is now 14-9.
Would it be a shock to see him reverse course and return to the Octagon? However, if he has been contemplating this for nearly a year, his heart may not be in it. And that’s a dangerous place to be in combat sports.
Bahamondes is headed in the opposite direction. The win should land him in the Top 15 next week and he was reportedly considering calling out veteran Renato Moicano during the post-fight presser. That fight would be a logical next step for Bahamondes as he ascends up the 155-pound ladder. Don’t be surprised if he’s favored to win that fight–if it is signed.
Here is a look at all of the results from UFC 313.
Main Card
- Light Heavyweight Championship Bout: Magomed Ankalaev def. Alex Pereira via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47×2)
- Lightweight Bout: Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
- Lightweight Bout: Ignacio Bahamondes def. Jalin Turner via first-round submission (arm triangle)
- Women’s Strawweight Bout: Amanda Lemos def. Iasmin Lucindo via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
- Lightweight Bout: Mauricio Ruffy def. King Green via first-round KO
Preliminary Card
- Flyweight Bout: Joshua Van def. Rei Tsuruya via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
- Middleweight Bout: Brunno Ferreira def. Armen Petrosyan via second-round submission (arm bar)
- Welterweight Bout: Carlos Leal def. Alex Morono via first-round TKO
Early Preliminary Card
- Featherweight Bout: Mairon Santos def. Francis Marshall via split decision (29-28×2, 27-30)
- Middleweight Bout: Ozzy Diaz def. Djorden Santos via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
