Focused on Rehab, Jury Targets November Return

Favored by many pundits to win Season 13 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series, the undefeated Jury (Pictured) instead bowed out of the competition upon suffering a serious knee injury during coaches’ evaluations. The snap, crackle and pop told him it could be serious, and tests confirmed his fears: a torn anterior-cruciate ligament and meniscus.

Jury underwent reconstructive surgery in March and set out to restore his health.

“It’s kind of opened my eyes to how tough the body is,” he told Sherdog.com. “I’m learning a lot about my body working with my physical therapist. He’s got me rehabbing my whole body now. I think my body was overtrained. I don’t want to get injured like this again. I needed a break.”

A little more than a month removed from surgery, Jury has already begun light training. If all goes according to plan, he will return to jiu-jitsu workouts in three months and sparring in six months. One of the sport’s top welterweight prospects, he has designs on a November comeback.

“Rehab’s going great,” he said. “I’m working hard, just getting stronger.”

Jury has finished all nine of his foes inside the first round, four of them in less than a minute. The 22-year-old Hazel Park, Mich., native last competed at King of the Cage “No Mercy” in September, when he submitted Sam Oropeza with an opening-round neck crank at the MGM Grand Casino at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn. Jury has 20-, 48-, 49-, 57-, and 69-second victories on his unblemished resume. He trains out of the Victory MMA camp in San Diego, alongside UFC veterans Jeremy Stephens and Dean Lister. Jury remains on the UFC’s radar.

“I talked to [UFC President] Dana White, and he said for sure they were going to bring me back,” Jury said. “He said he was impressed by what he’s seen.”

Though he has stayed upbeat throughout the process, Jury admits he was disappointed in his inability to compete on “The Ultimate Fighter.” The injury robbed him of the chance to expose his considerable talents to a much wider audience.

“When I first got hit with the news, I was like, ‘Wow, this ain’t happening,’” Jury said. “It is what it is. Crying and bitching ain’t going to help my leg. I’ve got to play the hands I’m dealt.”