Preview: UFC Paris ‘Imavov vs. Borralho’

Lightweights

Bolaji Oki (10-2) vs. Mason Jones (16-2, 1 NC)

Odds: Jones (-150); Oki (+120)

This should be a fun one, pitting two intriguing but somewhat under-the-radar European lightweights against each other. Oki, the 29-year-old Belgian of Nigerian/Zimbabwean descent, is a slick, speedy and hard-hitting kickboxer who came to the UFC through the Contender Series with a reputation as a breathtaking regional finisher. Through three UFC bouts, he has shown flashes of brilliance but is still learning how to make his offensive gifts work against a higher level of opposition.

Jones is one of several UK fighters on this card who are on their second run with the UFC after bouncing back and forth to Cage Warriors. Like Modestas Bukauskas and Rhys McKee, Jones has looked solid since being back, but of the three, he had the least catching up to do, as he was already competitive; the UFC could easily have decided to re-sign him after his first four-fight deal ended.

Since being back, he has a win over Jeremy Stephens that frankly didn’t teach us much about him other than “He’s better than an almost 40-year-old journeyman who lost five of his last six fights in PFL.” However, Jones appears to be at least as good as he was before: a solid striker who works the body well and is stronger, more athletic and a better wrestler than one might think.

This is a well-matched fight between two promising lightweights who have some standout skills and some notable flaws. Oki is the more dangerous fighter on the feet, but outside of landing a perfect shot to finish Jones or at least hurt him badly, may have difficulty swaying the judges in close rounds. Jones, with his tendency to let himself get backed up on the feet—and the Welsh curse of looking like he’s been hit by a truck after eating two jabs—has some of the same challenges.

However, Jones’ ground game, and the presence of mind to use it, presents a clear path to victory considering the defensive lapse that saw Oki get choked to sleep in his lone UFC loss. That is enough to sway the pick here in the Welshman’s favor; he might not get a finish, but it would not be surprising at all if an otherwise close fight hinged on a round in which Jones grounded Oki and put him in all sorts of trouble. The call is Jones by decision.



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Imavov vs. Borralho
St. Denis vs. Ruffy
Bukauskas vs. Craig
Oki vs. Jones
McKee vs. Sola
Freire vs. Keita
The Prelims