Aaron Jeffery frustrated with latest setback but even more motivated for UFC goal
Aaron Jeffery readily admits his second trip to Dana White's Contender Series was an incredibly frustrating experience, but it's also not one he sees changing his ultimate career plan.
"It sucks, obviously," Jeffery said. "I mean, any time losing a fight sucks. This one probably stings a little bit more, like to get to that position and lose again. There's no other way to put it. It f*cking sucks. But what do you do? You get back on the horse, right? That's all we can do is get back in the gym, take another fight, keep going."
For Jeffery, the reigning CFFC middleweight champion, the reason for his frustration is clear. In the past six years, the top Canadian prospect has only suffered two losses. Unfortunately, they both came at Dana White's Contender Series events, when he was competing for the right to earn a UFC contract.
Most recently, it was a decision loss to talented Brazilian Caio Borralho. In 2019, it was a submission defeat to Brendan Allen, who is still on the UFC roster now.
While both fights took place under similar circumstances, Jeffery looks at the setbacks as individual experiences rather than something related to the moments he's faced at the UFC Apex.
"I don't think I'm rationalizing or anything, but I mean, the first fight against Brendan Allen, I got caught and choked out," Jeffery said. "I think I was doing OK up until that point. The last fight, maybe I fought a little bit passive in the first couple of rounds and came on strong in the third. I mean, anytime you lose a fight, you can always see what you did wrong. But no, I don't think it has anything to do with the setting or anything."
And so, Jeffery must start again on his journey in the UFC. While he openly addresses the disappointment he's faced, he also insists it's nothing to slow down his chase. If anything, it's only encouraged him to push harder.
"I mean, I was definitely disappointed, but maybe even more motivated," Jeffery said. "I think I took like two or three days off and then got back in the gym right away – so, yeah, probably a bit of extra motivation."
Jeffery (10-3) returns to action in the main event of Saturday's CFFC 105 event, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena. He puts his title on the line against PFL and WSOF veteran Rex Harris (12-5), who recently returned from a nearly three-year layoff to notch a first-round TKO win over UFC vet Chris Dempsey.
Jeffery said he respects Harris as an opponent but is confident in his own chances.
"We first got offered the matchup, and I checked out his record and saw he had fought in PFL and WSOF and he'd fought some tough guys," Jeffery said. "I thought it was going to be a pretty tough matchup, and I don't want to talk too much sh*t, but after watching some tape, I think this is a great fight.
"He's a big, strong, tough dude. He's fought high-level guys. He's been on the big stage, so he's definitely game. But no, I just think I'm a better fighter than him."
Jeffery appreciates the opportunity to defend his CFFC title but remains focused on a potential move to the UFC at some point. After two close calls, he knows his path may prove a bit more winding than he initially hoped. But Jeffery also knows that much of that is out of his control for now, and he intends to focus on the things that he can influence – namely, his results in the cage.
"That's the weird thing about this sport, right?" Jeffery asked. "It's like football, baseball, you play college and then you get drafted and whatever. MMA is like, who knows? You've got to know people. You've got to win the right fights. You've got to go viral. You've got to have an Instagram following.
"All I can do right now is win this fight, and then maybe one or two more after that, we'll probably hear out some offers if they come from Bellator and whoever else. I mean, this next summer rolls around, I'm still fighting regional and I get a Contender Series offer, I'm not going to say no to it, that's for sure. I'll just win this next fight and see what happens."
