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Rising Aussie MMA star who broke the legs of three opponents in a four-year undefeated streak explains his bizarre nickname – and how Alexander Volkanovski shaped his career
- Aussie Jack Jenkins fights for a UFC contract Wednesday morning
- Jenkins hasn’t lost a fight in four years and has broken the legs of three rivals
- He is friends with UFC champion Alex Volkanovski and sees him as an inspiration
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Australian MMA fighter Jack Jenkins has broken the legs of three of his last four opponents in an astonishing four-year undefeated streak – and is on the cusp of a career in the UFC.
The 29-year-old from Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, who has trained in martial arts for 15 years, is currently preparing for the fight of his life in Dana White’s Contender Series.
Early Wednesday morning (AEST), the former bartender will face Ecuadorian fighter Freddy Emiliano Linares in hopes of winning a UFC contract.
Australian MMA fighter Jack Jenkins is pictured with the perpetual championship belt. Jenkins has not lost a fight in four years and has broken the legs of three of his last four opponents. The Aussie is currently on the verge of a UFC contract
Jenkins weighs in for his featherweight fight against Ecuadorian fighter Freddy Emiliano Linares on Wednesday morning (AEST)
Jenkins says he’ll take out his opponent – and if anyone has any doubts about his credentials, take a look at his fighting history.
“I’m always looking for a finish when I’m fighting,” Jenkins said. “When people ask me if I can put on a show, I say, look at my last five fights… or my entire career.
“I always have exciting fights. I don’t have to change anything.’
Jenkins is on the same path as Aussie UFC fighters Jimmy Crute and Jack Della Maddalena, who are both Contender Series graduates.
Jenkins (pictured right) takes on opponent Emiliano Linares. Known for thrilling fights, the Aussie plans to knock out his rival on Wednesday morning
He’s also spent time training over the years with No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Alex Volkanovski, and the Victorian featherweight looks up to Australia’s pound-for-pound king of the Octagon.
“I trained with Volk before he joined the UFC and then when he joined the UFC and now he is the No. 1 pound-for pound fighter,” says Jenkins.
“It’s super inspiring to see someone who started in the same place as me and is doing so well. And what’s so endearing about Volk is that he’s done it his way – he’s never changed his way of acting or anything. He’s just himself.’
Like Volkanovski – and a host of other Australian fighters – Jenkins’ first introduction to sport was through his local football club.
Jenkins has trained extensively with fellow Aussie and UFC champion Alex Volkanovski and says he is a huge inspiration after taking a similar path to MMA
“Rugby league and rugby union translate very well to MMA,” he explained. “Part of it has to do with the stop-start nature of the sport. But the other big factor is hip strength.
“Great hip strength allows you to hit harder, kick harder, get takedowns, stop takedowns — and football gives you that.”
Jenkins’s nickname in fighting circles is “Phar Jack” – a nickname he earned when he wrestled with men as a 15-year-old.
“I was rolling with all these guys,” Jenkins says. “Everyone got tired and withdrew. And when everyone was done I said who wants one more time. A guy looked at me and said I was like Phar Lap – I just won’t stop.’
Jenkins is pictured with his girlfriend. The Aussie’s nickname ‘Phar Jack’ refers to his stamina and his love of horses
“I like horses and I took that and ran with it. Now it’s Phar Jack.’
The Aussie plans to make it an early evening when he gets his chance against Linares on Wednesday morning – and don’t be surprised if his rival ends up with his leg in plaster.
“I’m going to take my jab early and walk forward — once I’ve done that, I’m going to target the liver and leg.
The plan is to get him on his hind leg. And I’m always looking to finish. It’s such a great opportunity for me – I’m going to grab it with both hands.’