Owen Jones knew exactly what this win meant the moment the decision was announced. Three years ago, when Jones was 18 years old, Fabricio Andrey beat him. On Friday night in Bangkok, Jones returned the favour in the most public arena of his career to date.

Jones claimed a split-decision victory over Andrey in the sole submission grappling bout of ONE Fight Night 44 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 26, improving his record to 17-6. The 21-year-old’s debut in the world’s largest martial arts organisation began with a personal score to settle.

“Yeah man, it feels good. Obviously, nothing better than some revenge, you know? He beat me three years ago when I was like an 18-year-old. So, to show that I’ve leveled up a lot since then and like have a super competitive match where I dominate most of it, man, feels good,” he said.

The match unfolded as a calculated battle for position, with Jones pushing the tempo and Andrey looking for explosive countermoves. Jones secured the catch that pushed him ahead on the scorecards and defended Andrey’s best submission attempt of the evening with composure and technique.

“Yeah, I felt like I was pushing the pace most of the time on the feet. Like he was walking backwards a lot. And then when we got to the ground, I had one really close inside heel where I think I popped his foot a few times. And then another few entanglements where I was catching the ankles. Obviously, that’s why I got my catch eventually. And I felt like a lot of times he was just walking backwards, waiting for big explosive moments. Like he kind of got that one kimura to the armbar that was pretty close, but I felt like I didn’t really panic, which was important coming in as a strategy — not panicking too much. So immediately defended it, cleared the elbow, and then got back straight on the attack,” he said.

Jones is already calling for more. Andrey had been linked to a match with Kade Ruotolo before this defeat, and Jones believes the result makes his own case for a top match clear. He has also singled out Cole Abate as a specific target, a same-generation rival he has never faced and would relish the chance to dismantle.

“I mean yeah, for sure, man. I obviously beat the guy who had the shot at the match, so I definitely think I’ve earned my right to have another match here, for sure,” he said.

“Yeah, for sure, man. That’d be a sick match. Obviously, me and Cole are the same age, we kind of came through the ranks, we never managed to fight, but we were in the same division, and I think it’d be a good clash of styles. Obviously, he’s quite good, so I love to kind of prove that he’s overrated, you know? Go and smash one of the AOJ boys up, for sure.”

READ MORE: Oleksandr Usyk Vacates World Titles Ahead of Final Fight: What It Means for the Heavyweight Division

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• Google