Mason Jones (fighter)

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Mason Jones
Born (1995-04-26) 26 April 1995 (age 29)
Blaenavon, Wales
Other namesThe Dragon
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight156 lb (71 kg; 11 st 2 lb)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight (2020)
Reach74 in (188 cm) [1]
Fighting out ofBlaenavon, Wales
TeamCeltic Pride MMA
Pedro Bessa BJJ
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Black belt in Judo
Black belt in Kickboxing [1]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins15
By knockout7
By submission3
By decision5
Losses2
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mason Jones (born 26 April 1995) is a Welsh mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former two-division Cage Warriors champion, holding the Lightweight and Welterweight championships simultaneously.

Contents

Background

Mason Jones began martial arts at the age of 6, starting out with Kickboxing, before later incorporating Judo, Boxing, and Jiu-Jitsu. He was a top 5 National Judoka and a pro boxer, who went 3-0 before making a moving into MMA. On his UFC profile, Jones says he is an avid Muay Thai and Taekwondo fighter. [2] [3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

At the age of 16, Jones made his amateur MMA debut in Grapple and Strike, taking many years off before he was set again to appear in an amateur bout at 21. This was due to a series of pull-outs forcing him into another amateur fight. After a series of pullouts, David Adonis stepped up to fight Jones at Cage Warriors 83, with Jones winning via Kimura. [3]

After fighting David Adonis, Jones made his pro debut. At Cage Warriors 87, he fought Shaun Luther, where he was able to submit Luther with a rear-naked choke with just twelve seconds of the fight remaining. [3] [4]

Wales’ first Arena MMA show was Cage Warriors 97, with Jones in the co-main event against Kacper Formela. Despite facing trouble early in the first round, he was able to land his jab and started to take control of the bout, before landing a jumping knee in the latter stages of the round, resulting in Jones ending the bout with a flurry of knees. [5]

For the first time, Jones headlined Cage Warriors 108 on 12 October 2019 in Cardiff against Finnish Standout Aleksi Mäntykivi. [6] He controlled the fight, resulting in judge scores of 30-25, 30-25, 30-26. [7]

Jones was originally booked to fight former UFC fighter Danilo Belluardo at Cage Warriors 113, however, due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Belluardo was unable to leave Italy and with Joe McColgan’s opponent also not being able to come into the country, they were matched against each other for the vacant Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship. During the fight, Jones had the advantage on the feet, and a flurry of knees from him once again forced a first round stoppage. [8] [9]

In September 2020, Jones faced Adam Proctor at Cage Warriors 116 for the vacant Cage Warriors Welterweight Championship. [10] With another first round stoppage win, he became only the second two-division champion in Cage Warriors history, second only to Conor McGregor. [11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Jones made his UFC debut against Mike Davis at UFC on ESPN: Magny vs. Chiesa on 20 January 2021. [12] He lost a close fight via unanimous decision. [13] He earned a Fight of the Night bonus for his performance. [14]

Jones faced Alan Patrick on 5 June 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai. [15] In the second round, after being poked in the eye accidentally by Jones, Patrick was unable to continue and the bout was declared a No Contest. [16]

A rematch with Patrick was scheduled for 23 October 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori. [17] However, Patrick withdrew from bout and he was replaced by newcomer David Onama. [18] Jones won the fight via unanimous decision. [19]

Jones faced Ľudovít Klein, replacing Ignacio Bahamondes, on 23 July 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall. [20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [21]

In September 2022, it was reported that Jones had fought out his contract and elected not to re-sign with the organization. [22]

Return to Cage Warriors

Returning to Cage Warriors, Jones faced Claudio Ribeiro on 29 July 2023 at Cage Warriors 158, winning the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round. [23]

Jones faced Yann Liasse on 14 October 2023 at Cage Warriors 161, defeating him via TKO stoppage in the second round. [24]

Jones faced Bryce Logan on 23 February 2024 at Cage Warriors 166, winning via TKO stoppage in the second round. [25]

Jones faced Michael Pagani on 25 July 2024 at Cage Warriors 175, defeating him via unanimous decision. [26]

Return to UFC

After four successive wins away from the promotion, on 23 February 2025, it was reported that Jones had signed a contract to return to the UFC with a four-fight contract. [27]

Grappling career

Jones is scheduled to compete against Nathaniel Wood in a superfight at Polaris 27 on 23 March 2024. [28]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
18 matches15 wins2 losses
By knockout70
By submission30
By decision52
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win15–2 (1)Michael PaganiDecision (unanimous) Cage Warriors 175 25 July 202435:00 Manchester, England
Win14–2 (1)Bryce LoganTKO (punches and knees) Cage Warriors 166 23 February 202422:45 San Diego, California, United States
Win13–2 (1)Yann LiasseTKO (punches)Cage Warriors 16114 October 202324:24 Dublin, Ireland
Win12–2 (1)Alexandre RibeiroTKO (punches)Cage Warriors 15829 July 202313:23 Rome, Italy
Loss11–2 (1) Ľudovít Klein Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall 23 July 202235:00 London, England
Win11–1 (1)David OnamaDecision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori 23 October 202135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC10–1 (1) Alan Patrick NC (accidental eye poke) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai 5 June 202122:14 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesAccidental eye poke rendered Patrick unable to continue.
Loss10–1 Mike Davis Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny 20 January 202135:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesReturn to Lightweight. Fight of the Night.
Win10–0Adam ProctorTKO (punches)Cage Warriors 11626 September 202014:31 Manchester, EnglandWelterweight debut. Won the vacant Cage Warriors Welterweight Championship.
Win9–0Joe McColganTKO (knee and punches)Cage Warriors 11320 March 202014:14 Manchester, EnglandWon the vacant Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship.
Win8–0Aleksi MäntykiviDecision (unanimous)Cage Warriors 10812 October 201935:00 Cardiff, Wales
Win7–0Donovan DesmaeDecision (unanimous)Cage Warriors 10427 April 201935:00 Cardiff, Wales
Win6–0Kacper FormelaTKO (knees to the body)Cage Warriors 9729 September 201814:03 Cardiff, Wales
Win5–0Konmon DehDecision (unanimous)Cage Warriors 9521 July 201835:00 London, England
Win4–0Craig EdwardsSubmission (rear-naked choke)Cage Warriors Academy Wales 212 May 201833:23 Ebbw Vale, Wales
Win3–0Lawrence TraceyTKO (punches)Cage Warriors 913 March 201821:41 Newport, Wales
Win2–0Brett HassettSubmission (kimura)Adrenalin Fight Nights9 December 201711:45 Swansea, Wales
Win1–0Shaun LutherSubmission (rear-naked choke)Cage Warriors 8714 October 201734:48 Newport, Wales

[30]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com.
  2. "Former boxer Jones among Gwent contingent on Cage Warriors MMA show". South Wales Argus. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Rising Star – Mason Jones – MMA UK". May 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  4. "Cage Warriors 87 results: Roberto Soldic shocks Lewis Long with 40-second head-kick KO". MMA Junkie. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  5. "Cage Warriors 97 results: Welshmen Jack Shore, Mason Jones score first-round TKOs". MMA Junkie. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  6. "MMA fighter Mason 'The Dragon' Jones to have first headline fight". ITV News. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  7. Cage Warriors Staff (13 October 2019). "CW108 results: Jones remains undefeated in Cardiff". Cage Warriors. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  8. Smith, Lewis (21 March 2020). "Lightweight champion Mason Jones wins big at Cage Warriors 113". WalesOnline. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  9. Carroll, Peter (20 March 2020). "CW 113 results: Mason Jones claims lightweight title, Paddy Pimblett returns to win column". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  10. joeshaw12 (28 August 2020). "Undefeated Welsh star Mason Jones looks for double-champ status in Cage Warriors". MMA-Prospects.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. Newswire, MMA Fighting (26 September 2020). "Mason Jones latest two-division Cage Warriors champ after first-round TKO in welterweight title bout". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  12. Farah Hannoun (29 December 2020). "Mike Davis vs. Mason Jones added to UFC Fight Night card on Jan. 20". MMAjunkie.com .
  13. Shawn Bitter (20 January 2021). "UFC Fight Island 8 Results: Mike Davis Spoils Debut of Mason Jones". cagesidepress. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  14. 1 2 Trent Reinsmith (20 January 2021). "UFC Fight Island 8 post-fight bonuses: Body kick TKO nets Warlley Alves $50k". bloodyelbow. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  15. DNA, MMA (18 March 2021). "Ervaren Alan Patrick treft jonge Mason Jones op 5 juni". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  16. Behunin, Alex (5 June 2021). "UFC Vegas 28 Results: Alan Patrick vs. Mason Jones Ends In A No-Contest". Cageside Press. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  17. Marinho, Raphael (16 August 2021). "Após "No Contest", UFC marca revanche entre Alan Nuguette e Mason Jones". Combate (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  18. DNA, MMA (19 October 2021). "BREAKING: David Onama zet Oeganda op de kaart, tekent bij de UFC en treft Mason Jones zaterdag". MMA DNA. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  19. Bitter, Shawn (23 October 2021). "UFC Vegas 41 Results: Mason Jones Claims Victory in Grueling Fight with David Onama". Cageside Press. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  20. Farah Hannoun (15 July 2022). "With Ignacio Bahamondes out of UFC 277, Ludovit Klein now faces Mason Jones at UFC London". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  21. Sherdog.com. "UFC Fight Night 208 Prelim Results: Ludovit Klein Shuts Down Mason Jones". Sherdog. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  22. Martin, Damon (15 September 2022). "Mickey Gall no longer under contract, still possible to re-sign with UFC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  23. Staff (29 July 2023). "Cage Warriors 158: Rome Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  24. Staff (14 October 2023). "Cage Warriors 161: Dublin Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  25. "Cage Warriors 166: Mason Jones secures third straight stoppage win against Bryce Logan". BBC Sport. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  26. "Cage Warriors 175: Mason Jones beats Michael Pagani for fourth straight win since leaving UFC". BBC Sport. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  27. "Welsh fighter Jones signs deal to return to UFC". BBC Sport. 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  28. Jones, Phil (7 February 2024). "UFC Veterans Nathaniel Wood And Mason Jones To Clash In Polaris 27 Superfight". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  29. Mike Bohn (2 February 2021). "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for January: A all-out brawl on the prelims". MMAjunkie.com .
  30. Sherdog.com. "Mason Jones". Sherdog.