Downer wants to build MMA in Jamaica
Trainer/fighter delays debut to take care of mom
Published:Saturday | September 10, 2022 | 12:05 AMSharla Williams/Gleaner Writer
WITH A number of Jamaican-born Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes rising in the sport, fighter and coach Jason Downer said that he hopes to achieve at the highest levels, to help him develop the sport and give back to local communities.
“I would love to use the money that I earn from fighting to build a proper gym in Jamaica because I know they don’t have the equipment and stuff,” stated Downer, who hails from Mount Pleasant in Portland.
“Then from that we can build the sport in Jamaica and have some international MMA fighting out of Jamaica, hopefully. I feel like my thing on this planet is that I am here to give – earn stuff and help people,” he added.
With Jamaican-born Leon Edwards recently winning the UFC welterweight championship, Downer, who is in the same weight class, said he is even more motivated to excel as a MMA fighter.
“(On) the scene now, as for Jamaican talent, is growing, so overall I think it has motivated all of us as Jamaicans to know that yes, one of us (will) do it and to know that we can make it there. I hope to do the same (as Edwards) in terms of getting as far as I can in the sport and also building gyms in Jamaica that are non-profit, that’s my goal,” Downer said.
Downer was supposed to have moved one step closer towards making this dream possible, as he was supposed to have made his international debut in July. However, he postponed his debut fight until December to take care of his ailing mother.
His mom, he says, is the reason he has everything he has today.
“It’s only me and my mom here and she was ill, so I had to take care of my mom … she had open heart surgeries, she had her third open heart surgery recently,” he explained.
STILL IN SHAPE
“I am still in shape, I still could have fought, but that was the reason why I didn’t compete because I wanted to be there for her,” he shared.
Despite the setback regarding his debut, the Jamaican is confident about having a successful professional career.
“I never not train because it is my lifestyle (to train), so being a full-time fighter and martial arts coach I am learning daily,” shared Downer.
“Being a coach also allows me to learn a lot more as far as the facets of the sport is concerned,” he added. “I don’t think anything will change. I will have a great pro career and I will be the best in December and every other fight after that.
Downer, who also goes by the name Jamaican Funk in the sport and has 14 amateur MMA fights under his belt, said this experience will help him to make his mark as a fighter.
“I didn’t want to go pro and make amateur mistakes,” he said. “I feel like now is the time to go pro because I feel like I have attained all the skill sets (and) everything is in the right place right now to go pro … and actually make a real career out of it. ”