Mason Jones (fighter)
Welsh mixed martial arts fighter (born 1995)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Blaenavon, Wales
| Mason Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 April 1995 Blaenavon, Wales |
| Other names | The Dragon |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 156 lb (71 kg; 11 st 2 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight Welterweight (2020) |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Blaenavon, Wales |
| Team | Celtic Pride MMA Pedro Bessa BJJ |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt in Judo Black belt in Kickboxing[1] |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 3 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 21 |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
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 move 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 20 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 189.[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 196.[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 208.[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 re-signed to the UFC with a four-fight contract.[27]
Jones faced Jeremy Stephens on 3 May 2025 at UFC on ESPN 67.[28] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[29]
Jones faced Bolaji Oki on 6 September 2025, at UFC Fight Night 258.[30] He won the fight by technical knockout via elbows in the second round.[31] This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.[32]
Jones faced Axel Sola on 21 March 2026 at UFC Fight Night 270.[33] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[34] This fight earned him a $100,000 Fight of the Night award.[35]
Grappling career
Jones was scheduled to compete against Nathaniel Wood in a superfight at Polaris 27 on 23 March 2024.[36] However, for unknown reasons, the bout did not take place.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Mike Davis and Axel Sola[14][35]
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Bolaji Oki[32]
- Cage Warriors
- Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship (One time; former)
- Cage Warriors Welterweight Championship (One time; former)
- MMAjunkie.com
- 2021 January Fight of the Month vs. Mike Davis[37]
Mixed martial arts record
| 21 matches | 18 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 0 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 7 | 2 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 18–2 (1) | Axel Sola | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs. Murphy | 21 March 2026 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 17–2 (1) | Bolaji Oki | TKO (elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho | 6 September 2025 | 2 | 3:18 | Paris, France | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 16–2 (1) | Jeremy Stephens | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo | 3 May 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 15–2 (1) | Michael Pagani | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors 175 | 25 July 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 14–2 (1) | Bryce Logan | TKO (punches and knees) | Cage Warriors 166 | 23 February 2024 | 2 | 2:45 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 (1) | Yann Liasse | TKO (punches) | Cage Warriors 161 | 14 October 2023 | 2 | 4:24 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Win | 12–2 (1) | Alexandre Ribeiro | TKO (punches) | Cage Warriors 158 | 29 July 2023 | 1 | 3:23 | Rome, Italy | |
| Loss | 11–2 (1) | Ľudovít Klein | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall | 23 July 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 11–1 (1) | David Onama | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori | 23 October 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| NC | 10–1 (1) | Alan Patrick | NC (accidental eye poke) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai | 5 June 2021 | 2 | 2:14 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Accidental eye poke rendered Patrick unable to continue. |
| Loss | 10–1 | Mike Davis | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny | 20 January 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Return to Lightweight. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–0 | Adam Proctor | TKO (punches) | Cage Warriors 116 | 26 September 2020 | 1 | 4:31 | Manchester, England | Welterweight debut. Won the vacant Cage Warriors Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–0 | Joe McColgan | TKO (knee and punches) | Cage Warriors 113 | 20 March 2020 | 1 | 4:14 | Manchester, England | Won the vacant Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–0 | Aleksi Mäntykivi | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors 108 | 12 October 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Cardiff, Wales | |
| Win | 7–0 | Donovan Desmae | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors 104 | 27 April 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Cardiff, Wales | |
| Win | 6–0 | Kacper Formela | TKO (knees to the body) | Cage Warriors 97 | 29 September 2018 | 1 | 4:03 | Cardiff, Wales | |
| Win | 5–0 | Konmon Deh | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors 95 | 21 July 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 4–0 | Craig Edwards | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Warriors: Academy Wales 2 | 12 May 2018 | 3 | 3:23 | Ebbw Vale, Wales | |
| Win | 3–0 | Lawrence Tracey | TKO (punches) | Cage Warriors 91 | 3 March 2018 | 2 | 1:41 | Newport, Wales | |
| Win | 2–0 | Brett Hassett | Submission (kimura) | Adrenalin Fight Nights 15 | 9 December 2017 | 1 | 1:45 | Swansea, Wales | |
| Win | 1–0 | Shaun Luther | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Warriors 87 | 14 October 2017 | 3 | 4:48 | Newport, Wales | Lightweight debut. |