UNBEATEN Mason Jones is promising fireworks this Saturday as he looks to celebrate turning 24 with a seventh straight pro victory against Belgium’s Donovan Desmae at Cage Warriors 104 in Cardiff, writes Jason Batty.

Blaenavon ace Jones, whose birthday is on Friday, can’t wait for his eagerly anticipated return to the octagon on the covered ice of the Viola Arena.

‘The Dragon’ made a huge statement in his previous outing last September, putting away Polish striker Kasper Formlea with some brutal knees in the first round of their clash at the same venue.

Knees are weapons associated with the Muay Thai style of Desmae, but that does not faze former professional boxer Jones, who has focused more on his punching power during this fight camp.

The normally active Jones has not fought for seven months, the longest period of MMA inactivity since he turned professional in 2017.

The consequence of such a long hiatus is usually ring rust, but Jones doesn’t feel this is a factor and believes the time off has given him a chance to sharpen his skills.

He said: “I don’t have time out of the gym. I know gym training is completely different to fighting, but I’m an old head.

“Even though I’m just 23, I have a lot of experience under my belt and I’m not worried about inactivity, I’m going to go out there and dominate.”

The Dragon’s experience goes back to his early years in the world of sport when he competed in judo and kickboxing.

For MMA experience, however, Desmae, with 10 fights more than the Welshman and a record of 11-5, holds the advantage.

Despite this, Jones remains confident and aims to dictate the fight when the men meet in the Welsh capital.

“Desmae does not do anything that I haven’t seen before. If I let him get in to the fight it could be dangerous,” he said.

“But I don’t let people stay in the fight long, I’ll dictate my pace, I’ll stay on you.

“You may start with a good pace, but eventually I’ll erode you away, then you’ll be in my fight and I win my fights.

“It’s going to be an explosive match-up, we are both coming for one hell of a scrap.

“He’s thinking he’s going to win, I’m thinking I’m going to win.

“The two of us will come and show who is the better fighter. It’s not going to be a boring fight.”

A win for Jones should see him celebrating a lightweight title shot later in the year.

But there is another reason to celebrate on fight weekend, however, as the Celtic Pride star turns 24 on Friday – and there is no question what his birthday wish is.

He added: “I cannot wait for this fight. I’m weighing in on my birthday then the next day I am putting Desmae to sleep.”

Cage Warriors 104 showcases some of the finest MMA talent Gwent has to offer, with Jack Shore defending his bantamweight crown for the first time against Scotland’s Scott Malone in front of a packed Viola Arena.

The card also includes Shore’s Tillery Combat team-mate Josh Reed, who takes on Belgium’s Ayton De Paepe.

Stablemates Kris Edwards and Cory McKenna also feature on the card, with both looking to get back to winning ways following narrow defeats in their last outings.

Visit www.cagewarriors.com for tickets.