Middleweight Jordan Williams is the personification of persistence and determination. He started fighting as an amateur in 2010, and went 4-1, before turning pro in 2013.
In 2018, by now 7-2 as a pro, Williams got a slot on Dana White's Contender Series, but the bout ended in a No Contest, and no contract. In 2019, by now 8-2 as a pro, Williams got a second shot on DWCS, but the bout ended in a Split Decision loss, and no contract. In 2020, by now 8-3, after seeing two bouts canceled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Williams got a third shot at DWCS, and on September 15, he stopped Gregory Rodrigues with strikes at 2:19 of Round 1. Third time was a charm - contract!
Two and a half weeks later, Williams made his big show debut, at UFC on ESPN 16 on Fight Island, vs. France's Nassourdine "Russian Sniper" Imavov. Williams lost a Unanimous Decision. The fight was not clean. Williams received two head butts, one in Round 1 and another in round 3, both of which, unfortunately, escaped the referee's notice. And, to add insult to injury, Williams got a low blow.
Williams was transported to the hospital, and upon discharge, posted a statement on his social network, captioned "Hear me out Dana White."
“Just got back from the hospital and the verdict is a broken nose, multiple fractures,” said Williams. “I have a broken orbital bone from that illegal head butt, the second illegal head butt. This [cut on my head] is from the first illegal head butt. And, apparently, I broke my back in the last fight. I have a crack in my C-3 vertebrae.”
“That’s the fight game. And we came to fight. That’s the beauty of the fight game, baby.”
Williams offered further comments in a second IG.
"What can I say but respect to Nassourdine Imavov, even though you landed two beautiful illegal headbutts that split me open, one seconds into the fight," he wrote. "Had to do what you have to do to win I guess. First time I was rocked at 185 was from an illegal move so I can deal with that and that nut shot was no joke I can still feel it. Throw in an illegal eye poke in the mix and I guess that's enough for you to grab the win. Landed some clean straight rights throughout the fight will not take that away from you, but would of been a different fight if you knew how to fight clean I'm sure. Would love to run it back off a full training camp and not gonna lie, need to work on my head movement, but I will gain from this night. Sorry to all my fans, family, and myself for not getting the job done. ... I will be back. I will be stronger. I will overcome this. Love every one of my fans and supporters."