Turner says Garry sparked UFC comeback

Jalin Turner has revealed that welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry played a key role in motivating him to reverse a retirement decision and return to the UFC, framing the comeback as a fundamental reset in both mindset and purpose. Turner is now in active camp ahead of a lightweight bout against Edson Barboza at UFC 323 in Las Vegas on December 7.

Turner, known as "The Tarantula," carries a 15-9 record into the matchup and competes out of Adrenaline Combat Sports. The 31-year-old American stands six-foot-three with a 77-inch reach, making him one of the longer threats in the lightweight division. His offensive output is among the most aggressive in the weight class, with 5.53 significant strikes landed per minute and a striking accuracy of 48 percent. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underlining the finishing instincts that earned him his nickname.

Why it matters

• Turner's retirement reversal brings a high-volume striker back to a loaded lightweight division
• A win over Barboza, a veteran of the 155-pound class, would significantly boost Turner's ranking prospects
• Turner's length and submission threat creates a complex style problem for any opponent at lightweight
• The comeback framing suggests Turner returns with renewed focus rather than simply picking up where he left off

The interview offers a rare window into the personal calculus behind a retirement reversal, with Turner crediting an outside figure rather than purely athletic motivation. That psychological reset, combined with the caliber of opponent he is stepping in against, makes his return one of the more compelling storylines heading into UFC 323.