BLAENAVON’S Mason Jones knows he faces his “toughest test” when he faces American Mike Davies on his UFC debut this month.

‘The Dragon’ begins a new journey in quest of greater riches on January 20 on UFC Fight Island.

The 10-0 former Cage Warriors double champion is one of the hottest prosects to put pen to paper at the UFC, yet his confidence remains unshakeable and Jones feels this is merely the beginning of something special.

“I am starting the climb again; I am fighting with a 0-0 record,” said Jones. “Forget everything I have done before, this is a new version of me.

“It’s a new start and onto the future. I am the greatest fighter on this planet.

“My mindset, that is actually where I am. Now I have to show the world exactly why what I am saying is true and to prove to everybody that if I am not the greatest at the moment, by the time I get to the top I am going to be.”

“This is most dangerous version of me that you are going to see.”

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No sooner as the decorated Torfaen fighter collected his second Cage Warriors strap with a stunning first round stoppage of Adam Procter, the UFC call was imminent, and Jones began Fight Camp a few days later in preparation.

The UFC lightweight division remains one of the most dangerous, there are no easy fights at 155lbs and standing in his way is ‘Beast Boy’ Davis (8-2).

“The boy I am fighting is a very dangerous fighter,” said Jones. “Mike Davis is a very, very tough test but I am more than ready for the challenge.”

“I am going to put it on him and I think I will stop him in two rounds. My last two fights have been first round stoppages.

“Mike Davis is the toughest fight so far but I think I will overwhelm him on the first and put the pressure on him in the second.”

After two days in isolation in London, Jones sets off for the United Arab Emirates on Friday where he will spend a further two days quarantining before being allowed into the UFC “bubble” after rigorous testing.

During the pandemic, the UFC where one of the first professional sports to begin live events and Fight Island has become a destination that all fighters wish to ply their trade and become a part of UFC history.

“It is an amazing opportunity,” said Jones. “Everything has fallen into place for me, this is the of the ladder for me.

“It’s about legacy, I will go down as one of the greatest in the sport and Fight Island is just the start.”

UFC Fight Night is on Wednesday, January 20 and is sandwiched between two other major events on the island on the Saturday before and after.

The latter, UFC 257, welcomes back former UFC and Cage Warriors double champ Connor McGregor, who takes on Dustin Poirier.

Big opponents, big fights, big shows are what Jones desires and a showdown with McGregor certainly whets his appetite.

“Of course, it would, I wouldn’t lie and say it wouldn’t! Any big fight would, but there are others too like Cowboy Cerone, Dustin Poirier, Dan Hooker,” said Jones. “The lightweight division is the deepest in the whole of the UFC but I am not looking past this.”