MMA Match Preview: Bolaji Oki (10-2) vs. Mason Jones (16-2, 1 NC)
Venue & Event Details
Event: UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs. Borralho
Bout: Bolaji Oki (Belgium) vs. Mason Jones (Wales) – Lightweight (155 lbs) – 3 Rounds
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Location: Accor Arena, Paris, France
Main Card Start: 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT
Oki vs. Jones Walks: ~4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT
Broadcast:
USA: ESPN+
UK: TNT Sports / discovery+
France: RMC Sport
Injury & Availability Report
Bolaji Oki: No reported injuries; full camp completed in Belgium. Coming off a rebound win after his first UFC loss.
Mason Jones: No reported injuries; camp at Shore MMA in Wales. Riding a five-fight unbeaten streak heading into Paris.
Fighter Profiles & Matchup Breakdown
Bolaji “The Zulu Warrior” Oki (10–2) – Belgium
Height/Reach: 5’10” / 73″ reach
Style: High-volume kickboxer with solid takedown defense
UFC Record: 2–1
Key Stats:
Striking: 7.05 significant strikes landed per minute (45% accuracy)
Defense: 62% striking defense, absorbs 4.76 per minute
Grappling: 1.24 takedowns per 15 min (75% accuracy), 85% takedown defense
Recent Form:
L – Mason Jones (TKO R2)
W – Michael Aswell Jr. (UD)
L – Chris Duncan (UD)
Tactical Notes: Oki’s game is built on pace, angles, and clean kickboxing. He’s dangerous early, but has shown signs of slowing in later rounds if pressured or forced to grapple extensively.
Mason “The Dragon” Jones (16–2, 1 NC) – Wales
Height/Reach: 5’10” / 74″ reach
Style: Relentless pressure fighter with strong wrestling and clinch work
UFC Record: 5–2 (1 NC)
Key Stats:
Striking: 5.56 significant strikes landed per minute (41% accuracy)
Defense: 48% striking defense, absorbs 4.46 per minute
Grappling: 4.24 takedowns per 15 min (52% accuracy)
Recent Form:
W – Bolaji Oki (TKO R2)
W – Jeremy Stephens (UD)
W – Alan Patrick (UD)
Tactical Notes: Jones thrives in attritional fights — chaining takedowns, wearing opponents down, and mixing in boxing combinations. His durability and cardio allow him to weather early storms and take over late.
Fight History & Context
First Meeting: UFC Paris 2025 — Jones survived a knockdown in Round 1, rallied with takedowns and ground control, and finished Oki via ground-and-pound at 3:18 of Round 2.
Fight Narrative: Pre-fight analysis framed this as volume striking vs. relentless grappling. Oki’s early output was expected to test Jones’ defense, while Jones’ persistence in wrestling exchanges was seen as the key to victory.
Moneyline:
Betting Trends
Oki: 3 of last 4 wins by decision; tends to start fast but has faded in later rounds against pressure fighters.
Jones: 4 of last 5 wins by finish; unbeaten in last six bouts; excels in fights where he can mix striking and wrestling.
Style Trend: Wrestlers with high takedown volume have historically had success against high-output strikers in the UFC lightweight division.
FIGHT ODDS
Bolaji Oki + 130
Mason Jones – 160
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
