MASON Jones has sent out a warning to Cage Warriors title rival Joe McColgan and the rest of the lightweight division – he intends to “destroy the best fighters out there”, writes Jason Batty.

The unbeaten MMA star from Blaenavon is setting his sights on securing a UFC contract, but not before beating Northern Ireland’s McColgan on Friday night.

Jones, 24, faces his experienced opponent at Cage Warriors 113, a show hugely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Cage Warriors president Graham Boyland managed to salvage the promotion by moving it from London to Manchester, rearranging the card and putting the show behind closed doors.

For Jones, the uncertainty, including the last-minute switch of opponent, was sweetened by the offer of a title shot, something he feels is deserved.

“Nobody questions my title shot,” he said. “I think that cements my place in the division and there is no-one who deserves it more.

“In my eyes, this is my first title defence. This is my belt and Joe is going to have to kill me to take it off me.”

And the Celtic Pride ace (8-0) admits the late call to face McColgan for the vacant Cage Warriors lightweight crown took him by surprise.

“I can’t put it into words,” he added. “When they told me, I started sweating, I was bubbling and couldn’t keep still!

“I am more than ready and capable, and I just cannot wait.”

McColgan (6-2) is experienced and durable, but Jones sees collecting the lightweight crown as his destiny, and he is confident of winning the fight in every department.

“Joe is confident and a dangerous guy,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough to break him, but I am more than capable, and I have already beaten legitimate contenders.

“I can see this being a one-sided war and I am just going to light him up.

“I'm going to beat Joe in every single round. I will beat him in every area and Joe is in for a tough night.”

Not looking past his opponent, Jones has always had his eyes on the bigger prize, a UFC contract.

It has been Jones’ vision since his martial arts journey began as child.

“If I have to defend my belt six times, so be it. I am in this game to smash people up,” he continued.

“I love fighting, this is my entire life. I live the lifestyle and I love the lifestyle.

“When I get that UFC call, I will be ready to go. I want to get to the UFC with the whole principle of destroying everybody that is in front of me.

“Since my debut, my goal has been to destroy the best fighters out there. That’s what I want to do, that’s what I want to show.”

Meanwhile, Shore MMA featherweight Kris Edwards faces Englishman James Hendin in his first outing since April 2019.