In a thrilling return to the Octagon at UFC Des Moines, Mason Jones showcased his skills in a match against Jeremy Stephens, emerging victorious with a decision win. This fight marked both fighters' comeback to the UFC, adding excitement to the event in Des Moines.
As the bout unfolded, Jones versus Stephens quickly became a contender for Fight of the Night honors, though the UFC chose to distribute four Performance of the Night bonuses instead. Despite not receiving a bonus, Jones put forth a tremendous effort, showing resilience and skill throughout the three rounds. He managed to land significant blows, leaving Stephens in danger at times while also attempting submissions.
“That guy’s built with power, so it was just like, let’s not be stupid, let’s go back and make it clean,” Jones, now boasting a record of 16 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest, explained during the post-fight media session. “His jiu-jitsu wasn’t great, but everything he did was solid. He was slippery, he was bleeding a little bit, and I just couldn’t get in position to finish him.” One notable moment included a close kimura attempt by Jones, which Stephens escaped through strategic defensive tactics.
After the fight, Jones reflected on his approach, admitting he likely could have achieved an early takedown that might have led to a finish. His desire to score a knockout instead drove him to engage in a striking battle with the veteran. “I wanted to knock him out so badly, but he is who he is. He’s Jeremy 'Lil Heathen' Stephens. When that name came across my desk, I said, ‘listen, I’m going to give him a firefight,’” Jones stated with enthusiasm.
Mason Jones, previously a double champion in Cage Warriors at both lightweight and welterweight, made his UFC return following a compelling four-fight winning streak in his former promotion. This decisive victory over Stephens raises questions about his potential leverage within the UFC lightweight division. Where does this win position him when it comes to future matchups?
Jones emphasized the importance of entertaining fights in the sport. “With this game, a lot of people don’t understand that this is television. This is film. No one wants to see someone hold someone down. This is all about exciting fights; I give exciting fights,” he argued. He expressed aspirations to fight in a style that mirrors Justin Gaethje’s aggressive approach, underscoring his desire to engage in thrilling contests rather than stalling tactics.
Although he recognized that takedowns might be necessary at times — citing even Khabib Nurmagomedov’s success with ground control — Jones reiterated his passion for creating action-packed fights. “I want to go out there and decimate people, I want to destroy people on TV. But as for bargaining power, we earn it,” he remarked, highlighting the journey fighters undertake in the competitive landscape of the UFC.
Reflecting on his previous challenges in the UFC, where he only secured a single win over his first four fights, Jones proclaimed, “Today, I proved that I’m experienced enough that I can get a win no matter what. I can go out there, give exciting fights, then make the win happen.” He expressed determination to catapult his career forward, aiming to thrive in the competitive scene. “I went out there with the whole mentality of, ‘I’m going to set fire to his career, burn what’s left of it, and mine’s going to grow from the ashes,’” he concluded, revealing his ambitious mindset.
Mason Jones' impressive performance at UFC Des Moines has set the stage for his future within the organization, as fans and analysts alike await to see what comes next for the returning star.
