Welshman Mason Jones blasted his way to the Cage Warriors lightweight title, then said that he was only just getting started on his run toward the top of the sport.
Jones (9-0 MMA) finished Northern Ireland’s Joe McColgan in the co-main event of Cage Warriors 113 in Manchester on Friday night, and after his first-round knockout victory, he chatted backstage and boldly declared the best was still to come.
“This is just a milestone for me,” he told Cage Warriors’ Edith Labelle. “I’m going to defend my title in June (then) maybe fight again, as many times as I need to until the UFC comes calling, and then I’m going to look to cement my place as UFC lightweight champion. So that’s going to be my journey. I’m glad to everyone who supported back home and everyone who helped me to get here, all the guys at Team Alpha Male who helped. Thanks to everyone, but this is a milestone for me, like I said. Bigger things to come. Follow this space.”
Jones has risen through the Cage Warriors ranks to become a champion at age 24, and “The Dragon” confidently said he’s ready to face whatever challenges are thrown at him whenever he’s booked to fight next.
“It doesn’t matter who they are, they all fall the same way,” he said. “Just put ’em in front of me and I’ll break ’em. It’s the way it goes. I’m better every time, so find someone new, dig them out and, if they think they can come for me, put them in front of me and I’ll decapitate someone new.”
Jones’ victory behind-closed-doors at the BEC Arena would have showcased his fighting talent to a new audience as fans flocked to UFC Fight Pass to watch the only live MMA event of note of the weekend. Jones said his performance was just a glimpse of what’s to come, as he promised to deliver more fan-friendly performances in his future bouts.
“I always look to perform,” he said. “I always look to put a fight of the night performance on. My fights are always exciting and I always come to impress the crowd or impress the audience back home. Put me in front of whoever you want. I’ll prove I’m better. I rise to challenges. Find me a new one and I’ll rise to that.”
