Jalin Turner has indeed decided to step away from MMA, at least for the time being.
This past weekend at UFC 313, Turner faced Ignacio Bahamondes in a featured main card fight, which did not go in his favor. Bahamondes defeated Turner with a triangle choke submission in the first round. This defeat marked Turner’s fourth loss in his last five fights and, surprisingly, became the last fight of his professional career.
Following the event, Turner announced his retirement from MMA. This announcement was unexpected, considering he is only 29 years old and has been in the sport for nine years. On Tuesday, “The Tarantula” confirmed his decision through a social media post, stating that he has “lost the focus and fire,” while also suggesting a potential comeback in the future.
In his social media message, Turner expressed gratitude for the support he has received. He reflected on his MMA journey, starting training at 18 in 2013, progressing from backyard training to reaching the UFC in 2018 and achieving a top 10 ranking in a challenging division. He apologized for losing his drive sooner than anticipated, emphasizing that at 29, he believes time is still on his side. He acknowledged the positive messages he received and hinted at future possibilities.
“Things can change …We’ll see what the future holds ️ ” Turner stated.
Prior to his defeat at UFC 313, Turner was ranked No. 13 in the UFC lightweight rankings. He entered the UFC in 2018 from Contender Series, initially competing at welterweight before moving to lightweight, where he achieved a 7-5 record in the promotion and earned two Performance of the Night bonuses.
