Mason Jones says he wants to become the first Welsh fighter to headline a UFC card.
The Dragon faces off against Bolaji Oki in Paris on Saturday, 6 September in the fourth bout on the main card, with just two scheduled fights after.
The 30-year-old Jones is hoping a statement win against the Belgian can lead to a higher position on the card in the future.
“My goal is to be the first Welsh fighter to headline a card,” said Jones.
“That is my next goal, I think I’m about two fights away from it.
“Get a good finish here, another good one before the end of the year and I think I’m in a good place where I can headline a card.
“I don’t care if it’s the Apex [in Las Vegas] or anywhere, I’m interested in headlining a card.”
Jones began his second stint in the UFC with astrong performanceagainst Jeremy Stephens in May as he earned his 16th career win.
Jones is aiming to extend his win streak to six and to earn a first stoppage victory sinceFebruary 2023.
“My last one unfortunately wasn’t quite the fight of the night, but a good fight nonetheless,” Jones said.
“I had a little bit of nerve damage in my leg from Jeremy kicking lumps off it, that took a little bit longer than I expected to heal.
“But I trained through it and I’m so ready for this next fight.”
With both fighters favouring a striking style, the bout could provide fireworks for the Parisian crowd.
“This is going to be a fast paced explosive fight, with neither of us wanting to go backwards,” Jones said.
“One of us will go down and it’s not going to be me.”
While headlining a card is an immediate goal for Jones, long-term he wants to cement his legacy with a title in a stacked lightweight division.
“It’s a deep, deep ocean,” said Jones. “I just want to be the biggest shark in there.”
“I’m happy to start burying people and to start taking snippets, but it’s a long way for me to a title fight.
“I’ve got to get this one, and then another three, really, before we can even start looking at that title. So, that’s a long, long way away.
“So, we’re going to bury him [Oki], and then we’re going to go from there.
“It’s about winning fights and fights the way I want to win fights, chaotically and cleanly.
“I’m going to go out there and put on performances that are unforgettable and just keep building my profile as we go.
“I’m getting ready to put on a 50-grand performance.”
