Report - Dean Barry Books UFC on ESPN+ 65 Debut In Reworked Clash With Mike Jackson

Mandartory Credit: Titan FC

Tallaght-born striker, Dean ‘The Sniper’ Barry has lined up a second attempted UFC debut – with a reworked welterweight pairing against Mike Jackson in the works for a UFC Fight Night event on April 23. At the time of publication, a location, or venue for the event has yet to be determined by the organization.

In the midst of a three-fight winning run, Barry confirmed on his social media that he had penned a multi-fight deal with the UFC, after VISA issues prevented him from socring an Octagon bow against the aforenoted, Jackson back in January of last year, as well as May. 

Featuring under the Titan FC banner back in December, Barry eventually drew Drew Lipton in a reworked bout, taking home a straightforward first round knockout win courtesy of 21-second strikes. 

For Jackson, he made his UFC debut back in June 2018 against professional wrestling star, CM Punk, originally scoring a unanimous decision victory at the UFC 225 until the result was subsequently overturned to an official ‘No Contest’ after Jackson returned a positive in-competition test for marijuana. News of Barry’s debut bout against Jackson was first reported by MMA Island. 

A two-fight alum of Titan FC, Barry initially featured under the promotion’s banner back in June 2019, stopping Corey Samuels with a first round knockout win. 

Barry originally penned a multi-fight deal with the UFC following an at UAE Warriors 13 in September 2020 – stopping Abdulla Al  Bousheiri with a late opening round knockout win. The 29-year-old boasts a 4-1 professional record, with his sole loss coming against Bellator alum turned professional boxer, Anthony Taylor under the now-defunct, BAMMA banner back in May 2018. 

Barry’s second signature with the UFC nows brings Ireland’s contingency in the promotion back to three fighters, as he joins fellow Dubliners, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor, and Portmarnock striker, Ian Garry – who exploded onto the UFC scene with a buzzer-beating first round knockout win over Jordan Williams at UFC 268 in November at Madison Square Garden .