Turner signs new five-fight UFC deal after 39-second knockout at UFC 330

Jalin Turner is locked into the UFC for the foreseeable future, the lightweight confirmed after stopping Kaue Fernandes in just 39 seconds at UFC 330 to earn a $100,000 performance bonus. The finish left Turner with four fights remaining on a new five-fight deal he signed earlier this year.

Turner’s previous contract ran out with his first-round knockout of Edson Barboza last December — a fight that also marked his return to the Octagon following a brief retirement. That performance was enough to convince the UFC to offer him a new multi-fight arrangement.

“My deal was up,” Turner told Ariel Helwani. “Barboza was the last fight on my contract. So, I just signed a new five-fight deal with the UFC.”

Despite interest from other promotions, Turner said he was content to let his management handle the negotiations and was never seriously tempted by free agency.

“I let my manager handle all that,” Turner said. “I’m happy with the UFC. I ain’t saying nothing else about it. I mean I heard some talks [about other offers]. But ultimately, the UFC came through; they always come through. So, I’m still here. I’m happy. I can’t complain.”

The road back to this point was not straightforward for Turner (16-9). He stepped away from the sport after a loss to Ignacio Bahamondes, citing the emotional weight of inflicting harm on opponents — a feeling he said was amplified by his brutal brawl with Dan Hooker and a vicious knockout of King Green. He eventually returned with what he described as a changed mindset, and has since rattled off back-to-back first-round stoppages.

With four fights remaining on his deal and momentum building at lightweight, Turner appears fully committed to making his mark inside the Octagon.