As mixed martial arts nears its twenty-year anniversary here in the United States, MMA fans are starting to see second generation competitors enter the ranks of fighters. Right here in the Bay Area, two young fighters are continuing their father’s legacy as they prepare for their likely eventual pro fight debuts. Their quest will continue this Saturday, as Casey and Nikko Jackson will look to represent their father, former UFC/Strikeforce fighter Eugene “The Wolf” Jackson, at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, California as Elite Combat Sports brings “Hybrid 3” to the Bay Area. “Hybrid 3” will feature a mix of electrifying mixed martial arts and Muay Thai fights, and showcase some of the top amateur fighters on the West Coast.

At “Hybrid 3,” 20 year-old Nikko Jackson will put his 8-4 amateur record on the line against undefeated Keith Cutrone (5-0), while 19 year-old Casey will look to improve his 4-3 record against Ashton Pierce, who will be making his amateur MMA debut.

A West Coast MMA legend, Eugene Jackson is remembered for his brutal KO of Royce Alger at UFC 21 in 1999, as well as his 15-9 record that included only one decision. A seven-time UFC veteran who also fought four times in Strikeforce, “The Wolf” finished his career with three wins in four fights, and won the now-defunct Strikeforce U.S. Middleweight Championship in the process. During his career, he faced well-known fighters such as Joe Doerksen, Wanderlei Silva, Sanae Kikuta, Jeremy Horn, Ricardo Almeida, Tony Fryklund, Ronald Jhun, and Joe Riggs.

Since his retirement, Jackson has poured his energies into fighting the gang culture that has plagued East Palo Alto in recent years. He has taken in many young athletes, training them to put their aggression into training for the cage rather than on the streets. Now, through his sons Nikko and Casey, “The Wolf” is passing on a heritage that should live long into the future.

“It’s an honor to have two great young fighters like Nikko and Casey on the card,” said Dave Madsen. “Eugene is a true legend, and a gentleman, and we welcome him with open arms to any ECS event.”

Besides the Jackson bouts, other notable fights on the card include a California State Amateur Bantamweight Championship bout between the current title-holder Radames Garcia and the undefeated Ashton Crow, as well as a scrap between John Donaldson and Isaiah Batin-Gonzalez. In addition, Charlie Seang and Jaime Rios will engage in a featherweight battle that will see one of these two combatants get their first loss.

comments