Jones targets UFC London redemption and top 15

February 24, 2026 No Comments

Jones targets UFC London redemption and top 15Media caption, Mason Jones: Day in the life of a UFC fighterByGareth BaileyBBC Sport WalesPublished39 minutes agoMason Jones says he wants to “show how well he can perform in front of a home crowd” when he takes on Frenchman Axel Sola in London on Saturday, 21 March.The Welshman was beaten by unanimous decision by Ludovit Klein at the O2 Arena in July 2023, his most recent defeat.Jones returned to Cage Warriors, winning four fights in a row before signing a new deal with the UFC in February 2025.

Going into the third fight of his second UFC deal ‘The Dragon’ has a chance to banish the demons from that night on which Jones admits he did “everything wrong”.

Jones told BBC Sport Wales: “I fought a tough guy and made so many mistakes. I’m super excited to go there and reframe it and show that London is a homecoming for me.”

The 30-year-old is excited to fight on home soil after bouts in the United States and France in his past two outings in the UFC.

“It’s going to be a massive change for me,” he reported.

“I fought a Des Moines local in Des Moines, so I was massively away there, then fought a Belgian guy in Paris.

“It’ll be nice to hear the crowd for me for a change.”

Jones is hopeful that a win will push him into contention for a top 15 opponent in the lightweight rankings.

“When I signed back to the UFC, I reported three foundational fights, to secure my footings in the UFC, then I’ll get a top 15.

“If I beat Axel Sola on March 21, I’ll be calling for a top 15 opponent.

“If I don’t get one, I’ll get an eliminator for the top 15.”

Jones reported it is a prospect the UFC have mentioned in passing.

“They’re interested in seeing me touch that top 15,” he added.

“I’m happy to win points, to outpoint him for three five-minute rounds.

“I’m always looking to finish with the excitement of putting him away, but if I can outpoint him I will.

“If I finish him, they’ll offer me a top 15 fight next fight.”

Should Jones earn a spot in the top 15, he would become only the second Welshman to be ranked in the UFC, following in Jack Shore’s footsteps when he beat Timur Valiev in March 2022.

Southpaw strategising

Axel Sola of France reacts after his victory over Rhys McKee of Northern Ireland in their welterweight fight — Image caption,

Axel Sola defeated Rhys McKee on his UFC debut in September 2025

Standing in Jones’ way is Sola, who defeated Northern Ireland’s Rhys McKee in Paris in September, the same night as Jones’ triumph over Oki.

The Blaenavon native is wary of the threat posed by his opponent.

“Sola is a 6ft 2in (188cm) southpaw, very big and strong.

“He started his career at welterweight, moved back to lightweight and he’s had one win in the UFC.

Jones sees the Frenchman as a “super exciting” opponent.

“He’s long, he’s rangy, he’s powerful, a very dangerous striker and wrestler.

“We’ve worked on lots of specifics, I’ve been doing training camps in lots of different places.

“I’ve been working specifically with southpaws for this camp, which means working with some of the youngsters coming through.”

One of those who Jones has been working with is unbeaten boxer Kyran Jones who boasts a professional record of 13 wins.

The Welshman could feature on the bill in Cardiff on 4 April, when Lauren Price defends her WBA, WBC, IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine World welterweight titles against Stephanie Pineiro Aquino.