Mason Jones knew he wouldn`t win over the crowd facing hometown hero Jeremy Stephens, but he still delivered a strong performance, securing a decision victory at UFC Des Moines by leveraging his grappling in the final round after an exciting stand-up battle.
The British fighter was ready to stand and trade blows with Stephens, resulting in a physically demanding fight for both combatants. However, Jones` relentless pressure, high striking output, and strategic, well-timed grappling ensured a dominant win, reflected in the unanimous 30-27 scorecards from all three judges.
After the fight, Jones commented on his approach: “I wanted to go out there and strike with him,” he stated. “He`s a legend. I`m sorry about that last round, I had to get the job done.”
Stepping into the lion`s den, Jones displayed no fear, launching head kicks and punishing low leg kicks. Stephens countered with powerful punches, landing a stiff straight right hand that visibly snapped Jones` jaw around.
Despite Stephens` power, Jones maintained relentless forward pressure, chipping away with a diverse range of strikes. His continuous attacks kept Stephens off balance and struggling to mount consistent offense.
Toward the end of the first round, Jones secured a crucial takedown and attempted a rear-naked choke submission, but Stephens successfully defended until the horn sounded.
Following the break, Jones came out strong, while Stephens seemed eager for a brawl, unleashing powerful hooks and uppercuts hoping for a knockout blow. Jones landed a sharp spinning back elbow, opening a cut on Stephens` face that began bleeding profusely.
Ironically, the cut seemed to ignite Stephens, who then landed a massive shot that stunned Jones and sent his mouthpiece flying. While Jones recovered quickly, he had to become more cautious, acknowledging Stephens` clear knockout threat.
Recognizing his advantage on the mat, Jones immediately secured another takedown at the start of the third round, drawing loud boos from the Iowa crowd. Despite Stephens` efforts to scramble free, Jones maintained top control, later attempting a kimura submission that didn`t fully materialize.
Even when Stephens briefly managed to stand, Jones swiftly dragged him back down, and time eventually ran out for the Des Moines native. By the final horn, it was clear Jones had done enough to earn the victory, although Stephens certainly put up a respectable fight in his UFC return.
In his post-fight remarks, Jones mentioned a potential return in July, possibly in Saudi Arabia. Stephens, having signed only a one-fight deal for his hometown appearance, is now free to explore his next steps in his fighting career.
