Jalin Turner believes he is on the cusp of title contention.
This past weekend, Turner delivered arguably the best performance of his career, submitting Brad Riddell in just 45 seconds at UFC 276. This was Turner’s fifth win in succession, all earned by finishing, and propelled him up to the No. 14 in the UFC’s rankings.
Now, the “Tarantula”, has set his sights on a challenge for the belt.
” It all depends on whom they give me next,” Turner said to Ariel Helwani during The MMA Hour . “If I can beat any of these old heads, then I feel like I am knocking at the door.” I’ve already made five statements this far, I just need one more. “Just one more,” I tell myself. The next fight will open up even more doors. We’re knocking down big doors next fight and, depending on the person it is we may be able to get that title shot sooner .”
Turner is not the only lightweight prospect on the rise right now, though. Mateusz Gamrot, Rafael Fiziev, Arman Tsarukyan, and Damir Ismagulov are all making waives in the division at the moment, but Turner believes his string of finishes has set him apart, and hopefully will earn him a headlining bout next.
“I feel the love,” Turner said. “I finally started showcasing myself and everything has paid off, all the opportunities have paid off. We may never know. Perhaps a Fight Night [next]. headline or main event? Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself, but the possibilities are limitless. …
” I’m not against that. That would be fun. I’d love to try it out, and see what happens. It may not go five rounds depending on the person I give it, but I would be willing to try it.”
Turner doesn’t know who he may face. “The Tarantula” declined to call out any one particular fighter, but said that whomever he faces, he plans to treat them the same way he has his past five opponents.
” I reached a higher level,” he stated. It’s almost like being in a different tax bracket. There’s lots of stuff.
