UFC 313’s Jalin Turner took 11 months to work on grappling after UFC 300 debacle

Alexander Behunin specializes in running MMAmania.com's various social media accounts, as well as covering live UFC events, interviewing the sports biggest stars and personalities.

Jalin Turner is ready to show off his new and improved grappling.

After a nearly year-long layoff, UFC’s No. 13-ranked Lightweight contender returns to action at UFC 313 this weekend (Sat., March 8, 2025) against surging Chilean propsect, Ignacio Bahamondes, from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The Tarantula” has been out of action since losing to Renato Moicano at UFC 300 ... and it’s been for a good reason. Indeed, Turner has been in the lab working to improve his grappling skills, which Moicano exposed in dramatic fashion back in April 2024.

Turner almost scored a “Money” first round walk-off knockout against the Brazilian veteran (emphasis on almost), but when Moicano survived and the fight entered the second round, Turner was taken down by Moicano ... and he did not get back up.

Moicano eventually secured a wild come-from-behind finish (watch highlights).

The 29-year-old’s grappling has never been bad, as evidenced by his four submission wins and countless high-quality scrambles. However, at UFC 300, he got into a place where he got uncomfortable.

And Turner does not want to feel that way again.

“Grappling was a personal journey,” Turner told UFC.com. “It has nothing to do with this matchup or anything like that — it was just me wanting to be a better martial artist. Taking into account how my fight at UFC 300 went, I felt like I needed to stay more disciplined and polished in my grappling.

“It was something I really needed to focus on and work on,” Turner concluded. “That’s what I did the last 11 months.”

Turner takes on Bahamondes in the “Featured” bout of UFC 313’s pay-per-view (PPV) main card.

LIVE! Watch UFC 313 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE TILT! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., March 8, 2025, with a high-stakes clash between 205-pound kingpin, Alex Pereira, defending his Light Heavyweight crown against formidable No. 1-ranked contender, Magomed Ankalaev, in the five-round main event. In UFC 313’s electrifying co-headliner from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lightweight fan-favorite and former interim champion, Justin Gaethje, will rematch the dynamic Rafael Fiziev in a three-round rematch, stepping in on short notice after Dan Hooker’s withdrawal due to injury. UFC 313 will also feature a hard-hitting Heavyweight battle between Curtis Blaydes and promotional newcomer, Rizvan Kuniev, alongside a Lightweight showdown with Jalin Turner facing Ignacio Bahamondes, and so much more! UFC 313’s start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 313 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN2/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 313: “Pereira vs. Ankalaev” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.