Jardine aims to revive UFC career

The answer could not have been more clear, but the manner in which it was delivered might have told a more accurate story.

“I’m not really worried about that,” said Keith Jardine, his head bowed and voice trailing off as he responded to a query about feeling pressure to win to save his job with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In late 2007, Jardine was sitting near the top of a loaded UFC light heavyweight division. He was coming off wins over former champions Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin, sandwiched around a shocking loss to Houston Alexander.

Just 2½ years later, the victories seem the more surprising results. Jardine has lost four of five fights since and has been knocked out in three of those losses.

He will try to get back on track when he meets Matt Hamill on “The Ultimate Fighter: Season 11” finale card tonight at the Palms.

Also, Kris McCray meets Court McGee for the season title.

Jardine thinks he might have found success too soon in his career.

“I’ve been going through some growing pains and I’ve been in a little bit of a funk,” he said. “I needed to go through those pains to get to here. I’ve showed glimpses of greatness. Two years ago, I beat Forrest. I beat Liddell. I beat those guys, but I knew that I wasn’t the fighter I wanted to be. I wasn’t ready to carry the UFC torch yet, so I went back to work and I’ve been working hard ever since.”

Jardine found success as a bit of an awkward striker and thinks he got away from his style and became reliant on a more traditional approach in recent fights.

“A lot of times, I got caught because I was trying to be too orthodox, too clean,” he said. “Like I read a how-to boxing book. A little bit too planned in everything I was doing. Now I’m just more relaxed — just flow free and have fun.”

He hasn’t been beaten by a series of stiffs. The 34-year-old, a close friend and training partner of Rashad Evans, has lost to Wanderlei Silva, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Thiago Silva during his slump.

Ryan Bader knocked out Jardine in Australia in February in Jardine’s last octagon appearance.

Jardine thinks he has been able to reassess his game and is ready to work his way back to the top.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for those tough losses,” he said. “I’m in a great spot right now. In my mind, I’m starting my climb to the top all over again. It’s a perfect time.”

He might have to beat Hamill to stick around.

The former elite college wrestler is coming off a disappointing effort, though he was awarded a win over Jon Jones in December. Hamill took a beating, but Jones was disqualified after landing an illegal elbow when Hamill was unable to continue.

“He gave me a little wake-up call. Jon Jones took me by surprise. He was the first person to take me down,” Hamill said. “I don’t feel like I won that fight. Jon Jones did a great job doing what he did. It took me awhile to heal. Now the shoulder’s fine. I’m ready to go.”

Both fighters were former cast members on “The Ultimate Fighter,” though neither claimed the crown. McCray and McGee will be vying for that honor tonight.

They have both endured hardships on the show and in life, and each suffered a loss during the season only to re-enter the tournament because of various circumstances.

“We both worked hard; we both lost. We both have had been hit hard by life, and we both got up from it,” McCray said. “To redeem myself would be to win the whole thing.”

The main card also features a middleweight bout between veterans Chris Leben and Aaron Simpson, and Jamie Yager meets Rich Attonito in a matchup of fighters from this season.

The first bout is scheduled for 3:45 p.m., and the main card will air tape delayed on Spike (Cable 29) at 9.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.