Report - Dean Barry Set For UFC Bow Against Mike Jackson At UFC Fight Island 8 on Jan. 20th.

Mandatory Credit: UAE Warriors

Straight Blast Gym Charlestown striker, Dean 'The Sniper' Barry is in line for his Octagon bow in just a month's time. 

Putting pen to paper on a multi-fight deal with the UFC back in November in a memorable week in which he also welcomed the birth of his son, Jayce -- Barry transitioned from a one-fight stay with UAE Warriors. 

Set for a debut outing on 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the karate practitioner draws two-fight Octagon veteran, Mike 'The Truth' Jackson who makes his first UFC walk since UFC 225 in June of 2018. Sources close to Ross Markey MMA confirmed the welterweight matchup of Barry and Jackson, following an initial report from MMA Fighting reporter, Mike Heck. 

Landing in the Octagon off the back of a highlight-reel rallying knockout victory over the 7-1 Abdulla Al Bousheri in September of this year, Barry, a product of renowned striking coach, Owen Roddy at the SBG Charlestown facility improved to 3-1 professionally with the win.

Featuring in the Octagon just three-days before fellow Dubliner, former two-weight world champion, 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor, Barry joins his SBG stablemate and two-fight Octagon veteran, Rhys 'Skeletor' McKee as the only other Irish fighters on the promotion's books. 

Jackson, a 1-1 professional and a mixed martial arts reporter, debuted in the UFC with a forty-five-second submission defeat to Mickey Gall, before scoring an infamous unanimous decision victory over former professional wrestler, CM Punk at the above mentioned UFC 225 event.

Despite scoring a one-sided unanimous judging triumph, Jackson received some notable criticism for a somewhat lacklustre performance, particularly from UFC president, Dana White who questioned why the 35-year-old didn't attempt to finish the fight from the often dominant top-position he found himself in.