EXCLUSIVE | Jai Herbert Discusses Controversial Draw at UFC 286: "I Feel Like It Was a Dominant Performance"

UFC lightweight Jai Herbert has revealed his thoughts about his controversial draw at UFC 286 earlier this month.

Herbert was on the end of a majority decision draw to Ludovit Klein due to a poor point deduction from the referee, but is more then satisfied with his performance.

“I feel like it was a dominant performance, and with the point taken away, I got the draw. Looking back at it, I remember the first being a blatant low blow, and I said sorry straight away. The second I remember thinking, that wasn’t low, it wasn’t hard, I thought it was on his belt. My knee was in line with his leg by his hip. I feel like he might have played on it a bit, knowing I’d get the point deducted … I don’t think it was in that region. It was close to the hip. It was a bit harsh. With the point deduction, I won the fight anyway.”

Although the consensus being Herbert’s point deduction was unfair, he understood that it could look different from other perspectives.

“I should have made sure my knees were right into his solar plexus or kneed him to the head. I should not have gone back to that same area. ”

Jai Herbert on UK MMA

With the success of Herbert’s Team Renegade teammates Jake Hadley and Leon Edwards, he is excited about the future of MMA in the UK. It seems that MMA in the country right now is at its peak so far and is only growing at a faster rate.

“The confidence is growing and growing and growing. Everyone’s belief is building. We’re all pushing off each other. An incredible time to be at renegade, very fortunate to be there at this time at the top of my game”.

“We are the start of something big. In a few years, Britain is gonna be the best. Best fighters in the world. You know, like boxing has all the best fighters from Britain? The MMA scene is gonna get like that at some point. And we’re the start of it.”

Herbert’s teammate Arnold Allen has an upcoming bout against featherweight royalty Max Holloway. He believes that when (or if) Allen wins in a few weeks, he will get his well deserved title shot finally.

“He gets a title shot. 100%. He’s flown under the radar a bit, he’s quite quiet, but he’s hilarious, to be honest. Him and his dad. You know he has got that aspect to him, but he’s an incredible fighter. Unbeaten in the UFC. Very very good. I think he’ll beat Max, and he could beat Volkanovski you know. He’s a very, very good fighter. Very clever. Very strong. Not many holes in his game. He’ll show it when he beats Max.”

What’s Next?

With the UFC returning to London in July. It lines up perfectly with Herbert’s plans to return in “June or July”. With the Brit coming off a performance that many believe he took, it only makes sense for him to reassert himself on home soil.

“Yeah. If they come back in July, I’m on it. Makes sense. Down the road. July, too, good turn around. Then, come toward the end of the year. I could fight again. So, if it happens, I’m on it.”

Herbert says that he keeps an eye on the division all the time and knows who’s fighting and who isn’t. Despite that, there are no names for him in mind.

“They’ll push me towards the top 20-25 guys, I’d say. We’ll see who they come back with. Take it from there. I’m just more focussed on myself at the minute. I just wanna get some wins, man. Get some wins in”.