Career
Born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, Jackson began wrestling from a young age and was talented. In high school, Jackson also competed in baseball and ran cross-country and track. Jackson was a state runner-up before continuing his career at Missouri Valley College where he was an All-American and had a fifth-place finish at the national tournament in 2012.
Shortly after, Jackson began pursuing mixed martial arts
Early career
Jackson held an amateur Mobile Marketing Association record of 6-1 before making his professional debut September 2012, winning via TKO in the first round. Bellator Mobile Marketing Association
Jackson debuted for Bellator on January 24, 2013 at Bellator 86 against Zac Church.
On June 19, 2013, Jackson defeated Keith Miner via TKO due to strikes in the first round at Bellator 96, improving his record to 6–0. Legacy Fighting Championship
In October 2013, Jackson fought and defeated Javier Obregon by submission in the second round at Legacy Football Club 24.
Jackson then faced WEC and UFC veteran Leonard Garcia for the Legacy Football Club featherweight championship at Legacy Football Club 33 on July 18, 2014.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Stepping in as a late replacement for an injured Justin Edwards, Jackson faced Yancy Medeiros at UFC 177 on August 30, 2014. Jackson lost the fight via submission in the second round, suffering his first loss of his career. Jackson faced Rony Jason on May 30, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67.
He lost the fight via triangle choke submission in the first round.
On June 18, 2015, it was announced that Jason tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, which is a banned diuretic, therefore his submission victory against Jackson was overturned and he received a nine-month suspension. Jackson faced Levan Makashvili on January 30, 2016 at UFC on Fox 18.
The bout was ruled a majority draw (28-28, 28-28, 29-27) after Makashvili was deducted one point in the third round due to an illegal knee and eye poke. Mixed martial arts
Legacy Fighting Championship
Legacy Football Club featherweight championship (one time).
