Mason Jones proved too well rounded for David Onama en route to his first octagon victory Saturday at UFC Fight Night 196.
Jones (11-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) used striking and grappling pressure to wear down short-notice promotional newcomer Onama (7-1 MA, 0-1 UFC) for the unanimous decision by scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 29-28.
The lightweight bout was part of the UFC Fight Night 196 preliminary card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It streamed on ESPN+.
It was an action-packed first round as Jones and Onama went right after each other with heavy strikes. There were big strikes laned from both, but then Jones decided to change the narrative by taking it to the ground. He was able to keep Onama there for a portion of time, but eventually, they got back to the feet and started trading shots again.
Both guys getting cracked early! 🤯 #UFCVegas41 pic.twitter.com/rhgCCrRlT0
— UFC (@ufc) October 23, 2021
They came out of the gate in Round 2 with the same type of energy. Jones and Onama tagged each other to the body and the head, but Jones’ pressure was more effective. He clinched Onama against the fence and secured a takedown, then took the back of his opponent. Onama somehow scrambled free to his feet, where he resumed the striking exchanges. Jones clinched his opponent against the fence and landed an accidental illegal knee while the hand was down, causing a warning from the referee.
Onama landed some hand punches once the action resumed in the second round. Jones retaliated by clinching and trying to force the action back to the mat. He grounded Onama late in the frame, but couldn’t be overly effective in scoring points down the stretch.
With a competitive fight handing in the balance going into the final round, Jones went back to his wrestling and got Onama down early in the round. He advanced to mount inside 90 seconds of the frame, and started to work toward a submission victory. Onama did well to stay composed and avoid getting put away, but Jones kept a firm grip on him and controlled positions until late in the round. Onama had a late flurry, but it wasn’t enough to steal the fight.
ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THESE TWO!!!! 👏👏👏
Nonstop action from bell to bell. #UFCVegas41 pic.twitter.com/KYeNhlbv9b
— UFC (@ufc) October 23, 2021
“I didn’t expect that,” Jones said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “My gas tank disappeared. I’ve never gassed in 13 fights and that was the first time I got tired. But it’s a learning experience.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 196 results include:
- Mason Jones def. David Onama via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Tabatha Ricci def. Maria Oliveira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jamie Pickett def. Laureano Staropoli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Jai Herbert def. Khama Worthy via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:47
- Jeff Molina def. Daniel da Silva via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 0:46
- Randa Markos def. Livinha Souza via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Jonathan Martinez def. Zviad Lazishvili via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
