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Mason Jones Aims For Two In A Row at UFC London | FIGHT PREVIEW
Just a week out from UFC London on July 23rd, the card has received an unexpected yet exciting upgrade in the form of a bout which has fight of the night written all over it. In light of Ignacio Bahamondes pulling out of his UFC 277 bout with Ludovit Klein, the UFC have given the Slovakian a fight the weekend prior, where he will take on Welsh lightweight standout Mason Jones.
Klein began his UFC career with an incredible finish over Shane Young on fight Island back in september of 2020. Prior to his arrival in the UFC, it was known that striking was quite clearly his strength, with a plethora of highlight reel knockouts on the European MMA scene.
Most notable of his techniques is that patented left high kick, very much a staple of his game, a tool he tends to build off and set up with his fast boxing combinations. 4 fights Into his UFC career he sits at a record of 2-2, dropping two in a row after his debut win, a unanimous decision to Mike Trizano and a round 3 submission to Nate Landwehr, most recently getting back on track in March, moving up to lightweight and securing a split decision victory over Devonte Smith.
Despite the change of opponent, a victory over one of the UK’s finest at lightweight, in London, would speak volumes to his ability and composure, especially a finish, something which Mason is yet to experience and Klein is an expert at dishing out.
Mason Jones came into the UFC with a huge amount of hype behind him from UK fans. Arriving with an undefeated record, a reassuring air of confidence and two Cage Warriors world titles to his name. His UFC debut came in January of last year, also on fight Island, where he fought Mike Davis.
The pair slugged it out for 3 rounds in a fight of the night effort. Although Mason suffered his first professional defeat, he wasn’t without his moments and displayed ridiculous toughness and endurance that we’ve come to expect of him. His second outing came in June against Alan Patrick, a fight he dominated from beginning to end, verging on a finish before an accidental eye poke on the Brazilian ended the contest.
His most recent outing came in October of last year against a debuting David Onama. In another great fight, Jones gave the Ugandan his first career loss via unanimous decision in a tough back and fourth affair. A victory that has aged very well, with Onama going back down to his natural weight of 145lbs and subsequently scoring two impressive finishes.
On paper, this fight is set to be a striking war. Ludovit will look to strike from range with those quick straight shots and that clubbing head kick, while Mason Jones will look to employ that pressure boxing approach which breeds action.
Jones is seemingly the more well rounded of the two, a former top 5 national judoka, pro boxer and with 21 years of kickboxing experience. Despite the judo chops, it’s clear to see he favours the striking exchanges. I expect him to March forward and take the fight to Klein, like he did to Davis and Patrick. He has great cardio and a granite chin, both aiding him in that pressure boxing style. Getting in close will nullify the threat of Kleins kicks and force grappling or boxing exchanges which is exactly what Jones wants.
On the other side, I’m sure Klein’s’ fast hands will make for some very fun exchanges, it’s just a question of whether he can match the Welshman’s pace for 3 rounds.
This fight has all the ingredients of a striking war and I can not wait. Be sure to tune in on July 23rd for what is primed to be an incredible night of fights and be sure to let us know your predictions!
News
Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out
Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170.
An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest.
The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health.
CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega.
The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners.
The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest.
The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name.
“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career.
Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors.
‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round.
Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature.
Interviews
“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21
Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines.
The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.
Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday.
“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said.
“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”
When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action.
He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set.
Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.
“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said.
“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”
News
UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas
Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.
Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.
***
Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)
Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout
Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout
Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout
Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout
Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout
Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout
Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)
Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout
Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout
Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout
Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout
Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout
Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout
Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout
***
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