Jack Jenkins arrives at UFC Shanghai with a return to regular competition firmly on his mind. Jenkins has been eager to compete since getting back in the win column in Perth last September, but a series of booking and injury-related setbacks left him waiting far longer than he wanted. This weekend, Jenkins faces Sean Woodson in Shanghai.
Jenkins described the time away as frustrating because his inactivity does not reflect a lack of readiness. He said he had been trying to secure a fight at the end of last year, then was moved toward a May appearance before a small injury issue changed the timetable again. That delay matters in Jenkins’ own assessment of this fight: he is not presenting Shanghai simply as a chance to get active, but as an opportunity to show the work he believes has been building during the extended wait. He said his body and mental state are both good as he prepares to make the walk again.
A delayed route back to the Octagon
The immediate road to Shanghai included a planned May matchup with fellow Australian Marwan Rahiki. Jenkins suffered an injury a few weeks before that contest, forcing him out. According to Jenkins, he was ready again a few weeks later, but was ultimately booked for this weekend instead. He said that one mishap, which left him out for three weeks, ended up costing him another six months. The wait also reflects a challenge faced by athletes based outside the United States. Events closer to home can give friends and family an opportunity to attend, but they can also influence how often a fighter gets booked. Jenkins said he does not mind fighting in Australia, though he wants to compete more regularly because fighting is his job and his living.
Jenkins has used the time to prepare specifically for Woodson rather than treating the layoff as empty time. Woodson has not competed since last April at UFC 314 in Miami, where Dan Ige stopped his seven-fight unbeaten streak. Jenkins said he spent more time studying tape for this matchup than for any of his earlier fights. Preparing for Woodson’s size required a practical adjustment as well: Jenkins said he brought in a tall training partner from Perth, from Jack Della Maddalena’s gym, because he did not have anyone that tall available to work with. Jenkins acknowledged after seeing Woodson at breakfast during fight week that his opponent is a tall, big fighter, but stressed that both men must make the same weight before they compete.
Jenkins pairs return with fundraising effort
The return also carries a charitable element for Jenkins. When Ramon Taveras missed weight for their Perth bout last fall, Taveras was required to give Jenkins 20 percent of his purse. Jenkins donated that money, along with money raised by selling T-shirts, to Ronald McDonald House. The organization operates 18 houses throughout Australia, each connected to a major children’s or women’s hospital. After visiting the facilities and seeing the volunteers and the importance of the work, Jenkins decided to continue supporting the cause during his Shanghai fight week. He invited people to donate and suggest a walkout song, then selected the winning entry by draw rather than choosing the biggest donation. The selection was made Tuesday morning, with AC/DC’s Thunderstuck chosen after several people suggested it. Jenkins said the campaign allowed supporters to take part while helping an organization that had been grateful for the effort.
- Jenkins said he had been ready to compete since his Perth victory last September, despite the prolonged gap before his Shanghai booking.
- Jenkins said his study of Woodson included more tape than any previous matchup and preparation with a tall partner brought in from Perth.
| Story point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Return setting | Jenkins faces Sean Woodson this weekend in Shanghai, his second Octagon appearance outside Australia. |
| Walkout selection | Jenkins’ donation-based song draw selected Thunderstuck by AC/DC on Tuesday morning. |
For Jenkins, UFC Shanghai is the end of a wait shaped by a cancelled May opportunity and a longer period of uncertainty around activity. It is also a chance to test focused preparation against Woodson and to return with a cause he has chosen to carry into fight week. Jenkins has called the matchup his breakout opportunity; the next step is finally getting back into the Octagon after saying he has been ready for months.
Sources: UFC.com
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