Most fans know Kate Jackson as the quiet, shy member of the TUF 23 cast last year. Some may know her as an early opponent to Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Jackson, however, is looking to put her stamp on Bellator MMA.
The 31-year old English strawweight is moving down from Flyweight to take on veteran Colleen Schneider at Bellator 182 on August 25. After going unbeaten professionally since fighting now-UFC Champion Jedrzejczyk in 2013, Jackson admitted there was some friction in the TUF house, when Joanna coached against her team
"I didn't have a lot to do with her," recalled Jackson to Fightful. "She bitched about me once or twice -- not to my face. But I was on Claudia's (Gadelha) team. I wouldn't say there's any hard feelings any way. It was a long time ago. I doubt she really cares. I haven't lost since, and I don't really plan to."
Jackson competed at strawweight on the show, but will compete at 125 pounds. When asked about the move and UFC's new Flyweight Ultimate Fighter Season, Jackson said she wasn't exactly jumping at the idea of appearing on a reality show again.
"It's really just an opportunity that was presented to me," Jackson admitted, before talking about the TUF 26 tryouts. "I'm not quite sure how that worked out time wise. I think they may have (had tryouts) before I signed with Bellator. It's one of those things where once was enough. I was pretty reserved on the show. I struggled to let go in front of the cameras. There's no guarantee they'd want me back from that perspective."
Jackson will take on Colleen Schneider at Bellator 182 on August 25 from Verona, New York. Fightful.com will have full coverage of the show.
