Jason Knight was recently released by the UFC, ending a tenure that began with the promotion in December of 2015.
One huge factor the fighter believes lead to the release was the lifestyle choices he made while in the promotion.
“I got caught up in the lifestyle,” Knight said to MMA Fighting. “I won four fights in a row in the UFC, I made several hundred thousand dollars. I went from making a hundred thousand dollars a fight and being able to live that lifestyle of having a hundred thousand dollars in my account to after the Ricardo Lamas fight I only had a $30,000 paycheck. I still tried to live the hundred thousand dollar lifestyle for a while like I had that money there. Next thing you know I started getting myself in debt and it went from I was fighting for fun to I had to fight to get the money. I had to get this money to get my life back straight, to get back on top. What I’m doing right now I’m pretty much completely out of debt and I’m getting my life to where I don’t have to worry about fighting to provide for my family and stuff. I’m providing for my family outside of that so I can get back to fighting for the love of the fight.”
Knight competed a total of nine times under the UFC banner, picking up a 4-5-0 record in that time.
There is no word yet on whom Knight could sign with next, but promotions like One Championship or Rizin could suit his fighting style.
“I haven’t really paid much attention to the rules but I was down with Pride rules back in the day,” Knight said. “The way I look at is if you can knee me in my head standing up, how is it so much f*cking worse if we’re on the ground? If you can soccer kick me in my head on the feet, then how is it so much worse if we’re on the ground? The only thing that I think would really suck is if you’re getting foot stomped in the face and the mat’s not giving any give for your head or whatever.”
Rizin is reportedly starting a lightweight grand prix this year and Knight has already hinted at fighting Damien Brown, who is expected to compete in the tournament.
