It felt as though Welsh lightweight Mason Jones got the biggest pop of his young career at Cage Warriors 97 when he rallied back from early trouble to finish Kacper Formela in the first round.

The 6-0 prospect, who has trained at the likes of Floyd Mayweather’s boxing gym and Team Alpha Male, was blown away by the reception he received in Cardiff following the viral stoppage, and hopes to make an even bigger impression on his division in his next outing.

“I sold a lot of tickets, I’d easily say I was the second highest draw in terms of ticket sales. The support was crazy going in and hopefully for the next one, I’ll sell even more,” Jones told the Eurobash podcast.

“I’ve always rated myself and I knew I was ready for this division. No one in this division should be overlooking and I’m going to come for everyone. People are starting to realize now that I am up-and-coming and I am a real threat.”

With the promotion having paved the way to the UFC for nearly 100 fighters to date, Jones is very happy to be competing under the Cage Warriors banner.

“When you ask those questions, the main question I gotta ask myself is, ‘Are you ready for the UFC?’ I don’t think I’m far off the UFC level; I really don’t feel like I’m far off the mark. Until I start fighting those guys, I won’t know myself,” Jones replied when asked if he already had eyes on the Cage Warriors lightweight title.

“I’m happy at the minute with Cage Warriors. I’m happy to fight some tough guys and get some real experience under my belt and then fight for the title when it’s my time. I want to earn that right and earn my place in the UFC. Then I want to fight some tough guys and earn that UFC belt.”

The promotion’s marquee milestone event, Cage Warriors 100, takes place in December. The main event for the card has been announced, a high stakes clash between unbeaten prospects Jack Shore and Mike Ekundayo for the vacant bantamweight title.

Paddy Pimblett will be there as well, and Joe McColgan. A number of fan favorites are also waiting in the wings to be matched for the event.

If Cage Warriors wanted to include him, Jones is open to competing at the event.

“I haven’t spoke with Ian Dean yet. We’re gonna sit down later in the week. It’s completely up to Cage Warriors what they want to do. I’ve been supremely active over the last 12 months — I’ve had six fights in 12 months,” Jones said.

“We’re going to have a sit-down, we’re going to talk, and obviously we’ll have to see because Cage Warriors 100 is not far away. Depending on who I’m going to be fighting, we’re going to have to consider how long of a camp I get.

“It depends on what Cage Warriors want to do and what my coaches want to do — I’ll just do what I’m told.”

Check out the latest episode of Eurobash. MMA Fighting’s Peter Carroll and Irish journalist, Niall McGrath discuss UFC 229, KSW 45, Cage Warriors 97 and Peppa Pig. The Mason Jones interview begins at 9:00.