UFC London MMA Match Preview: Mason Jones (17-2-0, 1 NC) vs. Axel Sola (11-0-1)

Venue: The O2 Arena, London, England
Prelims Start Time: 1:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM GMT (main card at 4:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM GMT)
Broadcast: Prelims on Paramount+ (US); main card on ESPN+ or equivalent regionally.
Weight Class: Lightweight (155 lbs) – Preliminary card bout (fight 8 of 14 on the card).

This is a high-stakes prelim lightweight scrap featuring Welsh veteran Mason Jones (“The Dragon”) against undefeated French prospect Axel Sola. The card headlines Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy and is packed with European talent, but Jones vs. Sola stands out as a potential Fight of the Night candidate due to contrasting styles and finishing power.

Tale of the Tape

Mason Jones (Wales): 30 years old, 5’10”, 74” reach, 17-2-0 (1 NC). Fighting out of Blaenavon. Style: Well-rounded MMA (strong wrestling/grappling base + volume striking).
Axel Sola (France): 28 years old, 5’11”–6’2” (sources vary slightly), 74” reach. Southpaw/karate base. Style: Striker with knockout power. Record: 11-0-1.

Finishing rates are nearly identical (~65% for Jones, ~64% for Sola). Both men cut to 155 lbs here; Sola’s most recent Octagon appearance was at welterweight.

Injury Report

No injuries reported for either fighter. Both have cleared medicals and are expected to make weight without issue. Training camps have proceeded normally according to all available previews and fighter social media updates as of March 18, 2026.

Fighter Matchups & Styles

Jones brings elite cardio, grappling IQ, and pressure. He excels at mixing takedowns with ground-and-pound (notably vicious elbows) and has never been finished. Sola is a dangerous karate-based striker with legitimate one-punch KO power and a 55% TKO rate. The key clash is Jones’ wrestling/pace vs. Sola’s power and southpaw striking. Jones is expected to close distance, drag fights into the later rounds, and neutralize Sola’s early power with volume and grappling.

Recent Form

Mason Jones (6-fight win streak, 3-0-1 NC in last 4 UFC appearances):

Sep 6, 2025 – TKO (elbows) Bolaji Oki (R2, 3:18) – Fight of the Night, UFC Paris.
May 3, 2025 – UD Jeremy Stephens (3 rounds).
Jul 25, 2024 – UD Michael Pagani (Cage Warriors).
Jones looked sharper and more durable on his UFC return than in his initial 2021–2022 stint (where he went 1-2 with an NC). His cardio and chin have held up against high-level opposition.

Axel Sola (6-fight win streak after one draw; 1-0 UFC):

Sep 6, 2025 – TKO (punches/body shot) Rhys McKee (R3, 2:02) – UFC Paris welterweight debut.
Jun 14, 2025 – UD Ghiles Oudelha (5 rounds, Ares FC).
Jan 18, 2025 – TKO Lucas Caio (R2, Ares FC).
Sola is a finisher (6 TKOs, 1 sub) but this is his first fight at lightweight in the UFC after a short-notice welterweight appearance. The weight cut and step up in competition speed are the biggest question marks.

Fight History Summary

Jones turned pro in 2017 and dominated Cage Warriors (two-division champ). Early UFC run (2021–2022) was rocky (losses to Mike Davis and Ľudovít Klein), but post-Cage Warriors resurgence has been dominant. Never lost by stoppage; 8 KO/TKO, 3 subs, 6 decisions. Sola debuted pro in 2021 via Brave CF, then became an Ares FC standout. Undefeated except for one majority draw. Heavy emphasis on striking finishes; only one submission win. This is his second Octagon appearance and lightweight UFC debut.

FIGHT ODDS

Mason Jones – 120

Axel Sola + 100

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 20, 2026