Jai Herbert admits he was better than 50 percent at UFC Abu Dhabi, but still focused on improvement

ABU DHABI – Jai Herbert beat Rolando Bedoya with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look inside the fight with Herbert, who picked up his first win in nearly two years.

Jai Herbert def. Rolando Bedoya

Result: Jai Herbert def. Rolando Bedoya via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Updated records: Herbert (13-5-1 MMA, 3-4-1 UFC), Bedoya (14-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
Key stats: After he was involved in eight straight stoppages, both up and down, Herbert has gone the distance in four straight fights.

Herbert on the fight’s key moment

“I was making him miss a lot. He thrives off standing in the pocket and exchanging with you. But I was using my feet, getting in and out, and I capitalized – when his head was in the center line, I was pinging him with the jab. I’m really happy with my footwork.”

"I've been out of the cage for 13 months, so it felt good to get back in there and get the victory."

Competing for the first time in a year, Jai Herbert (@jaiherbert2) was happy to get his hand raised at #UFCAbuDhabi

Results, Interviews & More : https://t.co/EJdu5W7pVM

— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 3, 2024

Herbert on getting back to work

“I’m buzzing. I’ve been out of the cage for 13 months or so, so I’m just happy to get back in there and get the victory. I said (I was) 50 percent (in the cage). I was better than 50 percent, but there’s always a lot more I can improve.”

Herbert on what he wants next

“There’s another card in October in Abu Dhabi. It’s probably booked now, but that would be good – or toward the end of the year, November-December.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.