Fil-Am MMA pug Jordan Williams to fight at UFC 268

Fil-Am fighter Jordan Williams makes his UFC PPV debut at UFC 268.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The Philippines will be represented at UFC 268.

Filipino-American fighter Jordan Williams will be making an appearance inside UFC's fabled octagonal cage on Sunday (Philippine Time), battling Ian Garry in a welterweight battle during the preliminaries.

The 31-year-old Williams, who has a 9-5 mixed martial arts record, competed three times in Dana White's Contender Series before getting a UFC contract.

“I fought my way into the UFC,” said Williams. “I am going to do my best to stay there. It is electrifying to be here in the UFC. I was a mix of emotions to be in the UFC after putting in a decade of work. I was dancing, crying, smiling.”

Now, Williams makes his debut at a pay-per-view event after fighting his first two during nationally televised cards.

But up next for him is the still undefeated Garry (7-0), who is making his UFC debut.

“It’s going to be a technical match-up,” noted Williams of the upcoming fight. “He’s a very good striker and his IQ is far from where his career is supposed to be. He mixes it up a lot. I like the match-up.”

For him, it's a must-win situation for him to show that he is still worthy to fight in the UFC since he lost his last two bouts, both during his UFC on ESPN fights, and three of the last four.

“It’s going to be a big match. At this point, I need to prove I belong,” Williams further said.

Williams' Filipino lineage can be traced to his grandfather, who was once a part of the US Navy.

He is also of German and Nigerian descent, and he has the Philippine, German, and Nigerian flags as tattoos on his right arm.

But on Sunday, he wants to make the Filipinos proud.

"I would also like to draw inspiration and support from my Filipino roots this Sunday at UFC 268," he further said.

The Williams-Garry fight, as well as the entirety of the blockbuster UFC 268 fight card at the Madison Square Garden in New York City highlighted by two world title fights, Rose Namajunas defending her UFC women's strawweight title against Zhang Weili and Kamaru Usman staking his UFC welterweight title against Colby Covington, will be seen live on Tap DMV's Premier Sports channel and in the Tap Go app.

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