Mason Jones knew stepping into the octagon against a local favorite like Jeremy Stephens in Des Moines wouldn`t win him many fans among the live crowd. Despite the challenge, Jones delivered a compelling performance, ultimately relying on his grappling in the final round to secure a decisive victory.
The British lightweight was ready to trade strikes with Stephens from the start, and both fighters left the cage with visible marks from the exchanges. However, Jones` consistent pressure and high-volume attacks, effectively combined with well-timed takedowns and control, led him to a dominant shutout win. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 in his favor.
“I wanted to go out there and strike with him,” Jones commented after the fight. “He`s a legend. I`m sorry about that last round, I had to get the job done.”
Jones displayed no hesitation facing Stephens in a potentially hostile environment, landing head kicks and damaging leg kicks early on. Stephens fired back with powerful punches, including a straight right that visibly snapped Jones` head back.
Nevertheless, Jones maintained relentless pressure, chipping away at Stephens with a diverse range of strikes. This non-stop offense kept Stephens guessing and significantly limited his ability to mount consistent attacks.
Towards the end of the first round, Jones secured a takedown and briefly threatened with a rear-naked choke, but Stephens showed resilience and survived until the bell.
After the break, Jones continued to push the pace, while Stephens welcomed a brawl, throwing heavy hooks and uppercuts in search of a knockout blow. Jones landed a sharp spinning back elbow, causing a cut on Stephens` face that bled freely.
This seemed to ignite Stephens, who landed a powerful shot that sent Jones` mouthpiece flying. Although Jones recovered quickly, the exchange highlighted the continued danger posed by Stephens.
Recognizing his advantage on the mat, Jones secured another takedown to begin the third round, drawing loud boos from the Iowa crowd. Despite Stephens` efforts to defend and scramble, Jones maintained top control, eventually looking for a kimura submission that he couldn`t quite finish.
Even when Stephens managed to get back to his feet momentarily, Jones immediately took him down again, with time running out for the local fighter. By the final horn, there was no doubt about Jones` victory, though Stephens proved his toughness in his UFC return.
Following his win, Jones mentioned the possibility of competing again in July in Saudi Arabia. Stephens, having fought on a one-fight deal for his homecoming bout, is now free to explore his options for the future.
