Jalin Turner pays tribute to Edson Barboza after UFC 330 retirement

Jalin Turner made a swift victory over Kaue Fernandes in his second UFC bout following a short retirement. Turner recently declared his retirement from mixed martial arts in March 2025 after losing a submission to Ignacio Bahamondes. He has now claimed two consecutive wins against Edson Barboza and Fernandes via first-round finishes.

Turner aims to maintain this momentum and inspire others with his return. During a post-fight interview, Turner acknowledged the difficulty of his return, saying, "The retirement was tough. The road back has been challenging." He paid tribute to Barboza, who retired during UFC 330, saying, "It’s just been a lot. I just want to pay homage to Edson Barboza.

He retired tonight. Shout out to him for an amazing career. It was a blessing to share the Octagon with him. And I know how tough that decision is." Turner, who is seeking a ranked lightweight matchup next, hopes his return can inspire those facing hardships. "Me being here right now is just about love," Turner stated. "I just want to help people.

I want to shine a light; I’m trying to inspire others no matter what they are going through in life, the ups and downs, as you can always keep pushing and persevering." Turner expressed his desire to continue motivating others after a swift KO victory.