Wiser, stronger, scarred - these are the words Mason Jones uses to describe himself as he prepares for his UFC comeback. After nearly three years away from the promotion, 'The Dragon' is set to return on May 3 in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, where he will face the seasoned veteran Jeremy Stephens.

Jones' journey back to the UFC has been anything but easy. Following a mixed first stint in the promotion, he found himself cut from the roster after a defeat to Ludovit Klein in July 2022. However, he didn't let this setback define him. Instead, Jones returned to his roots, competing in Cage Warriors, where he went on an impressive four-fight win streak. His dominance in the cage caught the attention of UFC president Dana White, who offered him a chance to return to the octagon.

The Struggle to Return The road back to the UFC was fraught with challenges. Jones admits that the uncertainty of his future weighed heavily on him. "Tribulation is just giving it a title and recognizing it for what it is, uncertainty makes you unwell," said Jones. "It feels like you're drowning sometimes, the water's a bit high and you can't swim." During this time, Jones relied on the unwavering support of his partner, who kept his dream alive. "We've been living off her salary for two years. My sponsors dried up. When I wasn't doing so well people couldn't validate giving me money and helping support me, so my income dropped 70 percent," he revealed.

A New Perspective Jones believes he has grown both as a fighter and as a person during his time away from the UFC. At 29, he feels stronger, wiser, and more mature. "I hit another spurt and felt so much stronger in myself and sort of developed, and I feel more mature," he said. "It's about going in there now and proving everything, because everything I say is noise unless I back it up."

Facing the Future Jones is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. The UFC lightweight division is one of the most competitive in the sport, boasting 93 fighters vying for the title currently held by Islam Makhachev. Despite the depth of talent, Jones is confident in his abilities. "I know when I perform, I can beat anyone in the top 15," he said. "I'm more than capable of making the most of my opportunities and to show that I'm the number one fighter in the world on any given night, it just needs to be my night."

Preparing for the Unknown Jones is leaving nothing to chance as he prepares for his bout against Stephens. He has developed a meticulous approach to training, keeping detailed notes on potential opponents to ensure he's ready for any last-minute changes. "At one point, I literally had files on my computer with everyone's names and notes for each person [in the division] and breaking them down," he said. "There's no such thing as overstudying. You never know who's going to be offered to you."

The Drive to Succeed Despite the setbacks, Jones' passion for MMA has never waned. "I don't wake up and have to do a 9 to 5 and think I don't want to be here, or I wish I wasn't, or how many years until I retire?" he said. "I get up and I love every day, I go running, hit the gym two or three times a day, I get to see the world." Jones is determined to make the most of his second chance in the UFC and prove that he belongs among the elite.