Dustin Jacoby wants to ‘own the moment’ like Justin Gaethje

Dustin Jacoby is all the time focused on the duty at hand, however typically the main focus is directed inward.

The psychological facet of the struggle sport has been a spotlight of Jacoby (19-7-1 MMA, 7-4-1 UFC) in latest fights, significantly within the wake of a profitable try to snap a two-fight shedding skid, which he did in August when he finished Kennedy Nzechukwu in 88 seconds.

“The final struggle with Kennedy, I simply felt no stress, man,” Jacoby not too long ago instructed MMA Junkie Radio. “I simply felt like, ‘Go on the market and have enjoyable. Go on the market and benefit from the second. Benefit from the crowd. Benefit from the alternative. Benefit from the expertise.’ The struggle couldn’t have went any higher. I used to be simply in a very good psychological zone for that camp and for that struggle night time. I instructed my coach proper after, ‘If I can discover that very same zone each single time, I really feel like I may very well be unbeatable.’

“That’s all it truly is, is a thoughts state, a frame of mind. Each struggle is completely different. You attempt to reenact these items and recreate these moments however you possibly can’t. Each second is completely different. You’ve simply bought to flow and put together and hope for one of the best. I feel that’s what I did in my final struggle vs. Kennedy and it actually confirmed. It was one in all my finest performances and it was an awesome night time.”

In a occupation largely decided by wins and losses, Jacoby admits it’s tough to remain within the second and give attention to the method moderately than outcomes. However he is aware of when he does simply that’s normally when one of the best outcomes flourish.

With a purpose to perceive that mindset extra, Jacoby modeled his composure after some of the violent and thrilling fighters in UFC historical past.

“You already know what fired me up for that struggle, too?” Jacoby questioned. “The week earlier than, Justin Gaethje had fought in Salt Lake Metropolis. It was a giant pay-per-view card in Salt Lake Metropolis. I bear in mind simply considering of these fighters, and Gaethje, particularly. He goes on the market and simply owns the second. It doesn’t matter what else is happening. It doesn’t matter how you’re feeling or if you happen to had a foul camp otherwise you simply didn’t get sufficient sleep the night time earlier than. None of that issues. All that issues is the quarter-hour you get the chance to go on the market and showcase your abilities. I utterly simply let all the things go and I feel that was it.”

Jacoby, 35, returns on Dec. 16 at UFC 296 when he battles Alonzo Menifield (14-3-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC) in an try to remodel a standalone win right into a two-fight streak. Together with his newfound psychological solidity, Jacoby is assured and has high 10 aspirations in thoughts.

“I’m coming off a giant win, however I’m nonetheless of that mindset that my again is in opposition to the wall,” Jacoby mentioned. “I must win this struggle. I must get again and preserve my rating at No. 14 and go into 2024 with that high 10 mindset, the mentality of moving into the highest 10 and seeing what the alternatives (are) and what they could be.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 296.