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Lorenz Larkin is happy to be a part of the upcoming Most Valuable Promotions MMA event on Netflix, but was stunned that his opponent, Jason Jackson, was available.
Larkin (27-8) has fought under the UFC, Bellator, PFL and Strikeforce banners, recording highlight reel moments at each stop throughout his career. On May 16, he gets to be a part of the first-ever MMA event on Netflix against former Bellator champion Jackson (19-6).
While there are plenty of household names in the lineup, such as headliners Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, plus Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and Mike Perry, Larkin was asked whether his matchup against Jackson was the best representation of high-level MMA on the card, considering the other top names on the bill haven't competed or have been dabbling in other combat sports.
Larkin agrees, but is also miffed that Jackson wasn't already signed to the UFC.
"I would believe so," Larkin told MMA Junkie Radio. "I was happy, but then on the other end, I was like, 'What the f*ck?' When they told me the name, I was pumped, but I was like, 'What the f*ck?' How did – like, I get it. I'm on the older end of the spectrum, you know what I mean? But Jason, bro. How the f*ck is he not signed to the UFC? It almost like, for me, I was just like in a way, disgusted, bro."
"This fight for me is one of the highest challenges that I've had in my career, as far as talent-wise. How the f*ck – I'm glad, everything happens for a reason, but how the f*ck is that guy a free agent? It blows my mind. The guys that he has beat? I'm just like, how the f*ck is he a free agent? That kind of just shows you where MMA is right now. It's disgusting."
Larkin himself enjoys being a free agent at this point in his career. While he appreciated his time in the UFC and other major organizations, his ability to take fights when and where he wants is a bonus for him at 39, rather than being told to take or leave certain offers presented. His last MMA fight was in September 2024, where he finished Levan Chokheli in the first round. He's since made two appearances in Karate Combat, splitting results in 2025.
Jackson, 35, had his most recent outing last June against Thad Jean, a fight he lost by split decision in the PFL welterweight semifinals. A few months prior, he finished Andrey Koreshkov in the second round to advance. From 2019 to 2024, he went on an eight-fight winning streak, which included his Bellator title stoppage victory over Yaroslav Amosov, coming through as a sizable underdog.
"I'm more of the underground, you know, guys who really follow MMA, I come up on their radar, and I feel like same for him," Larkin said. "He's not a big public name, but he's a guy that I guarantee a lot of guys have been like, 'I'm not – no.' Like they turned him down. Like they didn't want that fight with him. He's f*cking – he's good."
Despite Larkin acknowledging that he and Jackson are more hardcore-fan fighters, he was surprised to learn "The Ass Kicking Machine" was a free agent. Regardless, he's excited to get back to MMA for the historic MVP event in May.
"I'm pumped about it, man," Larkin said. "It just shows that they're trying to put on really good matches. So, I'm happy. The MMA community should be happy."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Why Lorenz Larkin is 'disgusted' Jason Jackson isn't in UFC
Continue reading...
Larkin (27-8) has fought under the UFC, Bellator, PFL and Strikeforce banners, recording highlight reel moments at each stop throughout his career. On May 16, he gets to be a part of the first-ever MMA event on Netflix against former Bellator champion Jackson (19-6).
While there are plenty of household names in the lineup, such as headliners Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, plus Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and Mike Perry, Larkin was asked whether his matchup against Jackson was the best representation of high-level MMA on the card, considering the other top names on the bill haven't competed or have been dabbling in other combat sports.
Larkin agrees, but is also miffed that Jackson wasn't already signed to the UFC.
"I would believe so," Larkin told MMA Junkie Radio. "I was happy, but then on the other end, I was like, 'What the f*ck?' When they told me the name, I was pumped, but I was like, 'What the f*ck?' How did – like, I get it. I'm on the older end of the spectrum, you know what I mean? But Jason, bro. How the f*ck is he not signed to the UFC? It almost like, for me, I was just like in a way, disgusted, bro."
"This fight for me is one of the highest challenges that I've had in my career, as far as talent-wise. How the f*ck – I'm glad, everything happens for a reason, but how the f*ck is that guy a free agent? It blows my mind. The guys that he has beat? I'm just like, how the f*ck is he a free agent? That kind of just shows you where MMA is right now. It's disgusting."
Larkin himself enjoys being a free agent at this point in his career. While he appreciated his time in the UFC and other major organizations, his ability to take fights when and where he wants is a bonus for him at 39, rather than being told to take or leave certain offers presented. His last MMA fight was in September 2024, where he finished Levan Chokheli in the first round. He's since made two appearances in Karate Combat, splitting results in 2025.
Jackson, 35, had his most recent outing last June against Thad Jean, a fight he lost by split decision in the PFL welterweight semifinals. A few months prior, he finished Andrey Koreshkov in the second round to advance. From 2019 to 2024, he went on an eight-fight winning streak, which included his Bellator title stoppage victory over Yaroslav Amosov, coming through as a sizable underdog.
"I'm more of the underground, you know, guys who really follow MMA, I come up on their radar, and I feel like same for him," Larkin said. "He's not a big public name, but he's a guy that I guarantee a lot of guys have been like, 'I'm not – no.' Like they turned him down. Like they didn't want that fight with him. He's f*cking – he's good."
Despite Larkin acknowledging that he and Jackson are more hardcore-fan fighters, he was surprised to learn "The Ass Kicking Machine" was a free agent. Regardless, he's excited to get back to MMA for the historic MVP event in May.
"I'm pumped about it, man," Larkin said. "It just shows that they're trying to put on really good matches. So, I'm happy. The MMA community should be happy."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Why Lorenz Larkin is 'disgusted' Jason Jackson isn't in UFC
Continue reading...
