Former UFC lightweight prospect re-signs to the promotion after three years away
02/24/2025 04:56 AM
The Octagon is set to welcome back a 155-pound contender who arrived in the promotion with lots of hype around him back in 2021.
Only a small percentage of mixed martial artists will get the opportunity to make the walk for the promotion that has defined the sport.
Making it to the UFC is a massive accomplishment in itself but the roster and it’s imports and exports can leave fighters with a small window of opportunity.
Whilst many athletes who end up departing the MMA leader will continue to fight, with others retiring whilst still being on the roster, making it back to the big stage is another huge mountain to climb.
Having already proven that you deserve a shot, you now need to reconvince Dana White and the matchmakers that you should get a second chance and that’s exactly what a former lightweight prospect has done in recent years.
Mason Jones re-signs to the UFC after going 4-0 since departing the promotion in 2022
Wales’ Mason Jones signed to the UFC back in 2021 with a lot of hype around him after what he was able to accomplish in Europe.
‘The Dragon’ followed in the footsteps of Conor McGregor by becoming a two-weight champion in Cage Warriors before arriving in the Octagon with an undefeated record of 9-0.
After a loss on his debut in a fight of the night bout with Mike Davis, his second fight against Alan Patrick was declared a no contest due to an eye poke.
Jones then secured his one and only win inside the Octagon to date when he defeated a late replacement opponent in David Onama in October of 2021.
His first UFC run came to an end the following July after a loss to L’udovit Klein in London with the dangerous striker choosing not to re-sign with the promotion at that time despite receiving a contract offer.
Jones then made his return to Cage Warriors the following year where he has since gone 4-0 with three finishes and one incredible clash with Italy’s Michael Pagani last July.
After the news was initially reported by Al Zullino, the 29-year-old confirmed that he is back in the UFC via social media.
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Mason Jones made a huge call to not re-sign with the UFC in 2022
Despite having a difficult run in the UFC through his first four fights with the promotion, the matchmakers clearly saw something in Mason Jones to offer him another contract.
It would have been easy for him to take that deal and continue down the same path but the Welshman chose to change direction and rebuild his momentum.
Betting on himself paid off with Jones increasing his value by once again proving himself to be a level above the top opposition on the European scene.
‘The Dragon’ put on some great fights during his short stint inside the Octagon but he has proven in the last few years of his career that he doesn’t just want to make up the numbers.
