Dustin Jacoby may just be embarking on an amazing career turnaround
Dustin Jacoby Was On the Hunt For Second Win in a Row
Last May, it seemed as though Dustin Jacoby’s time in the UFC was nearing its end after coming out on the receiving end of a devastating highlight reel finish against two-time light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes. The loss put “The Hanyak” in a precarious situation, standing then with an unfortunate 1-4 record in his last five bouts with further defeats to other power-punchers like Khalil Rountree Jr., Azamat Murzakanov and Alonzo Menifield However, he ended up putting himself back on the board in his last contest of 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63, knocking out Vitor Petrino in the third round.
On a mission to keep his winning streak alive, Dustin Jacoby entered the UFC Apex last weekend opposite another powerful Brazilian finisher in Bruno Lopes. Earning his place in the promotion by starching Mikheil Sazhiniani on Dana White’s Contender Series, “Brunão” capitalized in his debut by toppling the undefeated Magomed Gadzhiyasulov by unanimous decision.
Dustin Jacoby Nets Remarkable Stoppage at UFC Vegas 107
By this point, Lopes had only lost just once in his career, and that was to fellow Contender Series alum Brendson Ribeiro. Losing to his countryman on his first appearance on the show in 2023, Lopes worked his way back toward securing another shot at a UFC contract by claiming the Legacy Fighting Alliance light heavyweight belt in his next fight.
A solid test for the aging Dustin Jacoby, mixed martial fans watched tentatively to see if the former divisional contender could shake off another rising prospect’s onslaught. A mere minute into the scrap, the previous world champion kickboxer floored his South American foe with a powerful jab.
Smelling blood in the water, Dustin Jacoby immediately pounced on Lopes, pelting him with a barrage of punches before severing his consciousness entirely with a stiff left hook. Leaving the Brazilian slumped against the cage wall, Jacoby soaked in the cheers and applause from the crowd, recording a second eye-opening knockout in just six months.
Dustin Jacoby Still Has Firepower at 205
Seemingly having solved his issues with fighting individuals possessing considerable power, Jacoby could very well be on track toward contending for his old position in the top rankings.
Although most of the men within the No. 10 to No. 15 slot either have fights books already or have just competed recently, the Factory X Muay Thai mainstay has his message to the category clear: I am back.
