Rising Dragons: Welsh Warriors Making Waves in MMA
Image Credit: nipotan
Wales holds a wealth of talent. Fighters from Wales are ready to make a big impact in MMA. In the octagon, Welsh warriors show unique skill, resilience, and determination.
Jack Shore
Jack Shore is a fantastic competitor and has shown he can compete in the UFC. The Welshman has produced some great results in the UFC. He has a professional record of 17-1 with 13 finishes. Before arriving in the UFC in 2019, Shore was a champion in Cage Warriors. Since his loss to Ricky Simon in 2022, the 29-year-old moved up to featherweight. He defeated Makwan Amirkhami at UFC 286 to mark his arrival at 145. He will now look to make an impact and climb the rankings at featherweight. Shore has all the tools to compete with the best in the business.
Brett Johns
In the octagon, Brett Johns, a fighter from Swansea, commands respect. He has proven his skill and resilience with a professional record of 20-3 and 10 finishes. Johns, a former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion, shares Shore's dominance in that division. He also won the Titan Fighting Bantamweight Champion, another feather in his cap. His MMA journey started in July 2012. He submitted Ben Wood using his signature move, the rear-naked choke. He faced Pedro Munhoz and Aljamain Sterling after his UFC debut in 2016. Johns competes in the PFL. He shows dedication and passion in his successful run.
Cory McKenna
24-year-old Cory McKenna, is one of the youngest women on the UFC roster, is a fighter to watch. She has a professional record of 8-3 and has four finishes in her career. She trains with Team Alpha Male. The team has produced UFC champions like Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw. The fighter from Cwmbran competes in the strawweight division. She fought in the UFC for the first time on November 14, 2020. McKenna won on Dana White's contender series in August of that year. Despite her recent defeat, McKenna's youth and potential promise a bright future in the sport.
Mason Jones
Mason Jones is one to look out for in the future; the 28-year-old has all the tools to have a successful career. The fighter from Blaenavon has a professional record of 14-2, with 10 of those wins being finishes. Jones, a former two-weight Cage Warriors champion, won the lightweight and welterweight belts. He joined the UFC in January 2021, but his time with the promotion differed from what he wanted. He had one win, two losses, and one no-contest due to an accidental eye poke in a fight he was winning. Jones chose not to re-sign with the UFC. He has re-joined Cage Warriors. His future there looks bright.
Oban Elliott
Oban Elliott, a fighter from Merthyr Tydfil, is currently making waves in the UFC. He is known for his aggressive fighting style and has a professional record of 10-2. Elliott from Shore MMA fights at welterweight. His recent fight against Val Woodburn showcased his strategic and tactical skills. If he continues to win, it's hard to see him not making a significant impact in the UFC.
Fighters from Wales are improving. It won't be long before a Welsh competitor ranks in the top 5 or becomes a UFC or PFL champion. The anticipation and excitement will engage the audience in the Welsh fighters' journey. It will keep them interested in the progress.
If you love sport checkout the rest of Expansive Sports we cover sports like rugby, football, and motorsport.