Montel Jackson sits on the boundary of the 135lbs rankings, holding #15 in the division. “I started training the summer that wrestling was dropped from the Olympics. My friend Devon asked me to wrestle with him on Sundays to prepare for his upcoming fight against Raufeon Stots,” he told UFC. Helping his friend prepare for a fight unexpectedly helped him in return, setting him on a new path in combat sports. A purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jackson had to make sacrifices early in life, leaving his technical degree studies to care for his ailing grandparents and pursue fighting full-time.

Before stepping into the UFC spotlight, he worked as a manager at a liquor store. From there, he clawed his way to a 14-2-0 professional record—a journey marked by resilience and grit. Now riding a five-fight winning streak, he has registered back-to-back Performance of the Night bonuses. He may be all about getting straight to the point, but many wonder about his background. So what are his roots? Which country does he represent? Let’s find out!

What is Montel Jackson’s ethnicity and nationality?

Montel Jackson proudly fights under the American flag, representing the United States with quiet determination and unmistakable fire. He was born on April 24, 1992, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is proud to represent his hometown and spoke to the local newspaper in 2024.

“It is important because it shows that we can make it from a little city called Milwaukee.” Montel said, “You don’t have to leave. You don’t have to go look for something on the outside; it’s right in front of you. You just have to be willing to put in the work.”

The 33-year-old does not have much public information available about his family, but he has shared some insight into his roots in past interviews. As per MMA Fighting, he is the son of a kickboxer, though his father passed away when he was very young. Unfortunately, that meant he never had the opportunity to learn the ropes of kickboxing directly from his dad.

Still, his love for MMA was always present, and he had his sights set on a career in martial arts. “There were outlets for kickboxing, but in kickboxing and MMA, when you look at the success factor at the end of it, which one is going to have better results for me?” Jackson told MMA Fighting. Still, what does Jackson believe in beyond his team, his own drive, and his loved ones?

Which religion does Montel Jackson follow?

As of now, Montel Jackson has not publicly shared information regarding his religious beliefs. The Jackson surname is most often considered to be of English origin, and Christianity is the most commonly practiced religion in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

While Jackson has not explicitly spoken about his faith, there is one photo that may suggest a moment of personal reflection. In the image, he appears to be in a graveyard, touching a grave with his hands as a tribute, with flowers placed nearby. The caption reads, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.-Wayne Gretzky.” Though not directly tied to religion, the post hints at a moment of meaning and remembrance.

As he heads into UFC Des Moines to face Daniel Marcos, the American would look to register yet another win and inch closer to the upper echelon of the division. Are you excited to see him fight? Share your thoughts in the comments below.