“Nobody was stepping up…” Jalin Turner reveals behind-the-scenes of accepting Bobby Green’s ‘gangster’ challenge

Jalin Turner opens up about initially hesitating but eventually accepting the challenge to fight Bobby Green on short notice at UFC Austin, shedding light on the decision-making process.

“Nobody was stepping up…” Jalin Turner reveals behind-the-scenes of accepting Bobby Green’s ‘gangster’ challenge

Jalin Turner steps up on short notice to fight Bobby Green (Image via: IMAGO, Instagram/Jalin Turner)

Dan Hooker recently pulled out from his bout with Bobby Green. The bout was scheduled for five rounds in the co-main event of UFC Austin. Green called out fellow UFC fighters on an Instagram video to step up on short notice and accept his ‘gangster’ challenge. Green has a history of stepping up on short notice. Moreover, Green is one of the old-school fighters still active in the UFC.

Several UFC fighters offered to fight Green on short notice. Rafael dos Anjos, Jared Gordon, and Terrance McKinney were at the forefront of it. However, it was Jalin Turner who got the opportunity. Turner shared what happened behind the scenes in a recent episode of the JAXXON Podcast. This is what Turner said:

Nobody was stepping up. They asked me, and I said no in the beginning. But, you know, they came up with a counter-offer. And they told me some stuff like, dang, I’m kind of like in a position where I feel I have to take it if that makes sense.
Jalin Turner via Jaxxon Podcast.
YouTube video

When the UFC first asked Turner to step in, he hesitated. However, the promotion came back again and offered more money. That made Turner rethink and eventually accepted the bout. Interestingly, Turner’s last fight was a decision loss to Green’s original opponent, Dan Hooker. Green is coming off a quick finish over Grant Dawson, who was undefeated in the UFC at the time.

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UFC Austin is the third last event of the UFC in 2024. Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan will headline the event. Moreover, Deiveson Figueiredo will make his bantamweight debut at the event against Rob Font. Moreover, Kelvin Gastelum will return to the welterweight division against Sean Brady. All in all, the card is a must watch.

Jalin Turner looks up to former opponent Dan Hooker and upcoming opponent Bobby Green

Jalin Turner is one of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster. However, he is currently on a two-fight losing skid, albeit to top 10 lightweights Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker. Now, “The Tarantula” will be looking to stop his skid against Bobby Green at UFC Austin.

Jalin Turner steps up on short notice to fight Bobby Green
Jalin Turner steps up on short notice to fight Bobby Green (Image via: Instagram/Dan Hooker, Jalin Turner, Bobby Green)

Turner is a big fan of Green and also Green’s original opponent, Dan Hooker. In a recent podcast appearance on JAXXON, Turner talked about it. This is what he said.

I've been watching Bobby for years, you know. Like, I look up to Bobby the same way I looked up to Hooker before I fought him, too, you know? Like, I know what they bring to the table.

Turner is 28 years old and has watched iconic fights of both Green and Hooker. Both fighters had memorable fights in the UFC. Hooker’s fight with Dustin Poirier is one of the most brutal fights in UFC history. Green and Hooker have also fought Islam Makhachev, the current UFC lightweight champion.

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