David Onama glad for short-notice UFC 309 win, but still wants Almeida

NEW YORK – David Onama beat Roberto Romero with a unanimous resolution Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 309 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.

Have a look contained in the struggle with Onama, who fought Romero on a number of days’ discover when Lucas Almeida pulled out

David Onama def. Roberto Romero

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; David Onama (crimson gloves) reacts after defeating Roberto Romero (blue gloves) within the light-weight bout throughout UFC 309 at Madison Sq. Backyard. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Penner-Imagn Photos

End result: David Onama def. Roberto Romero via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Up to date data: Onama (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Romero (8-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Onama received the putting battle 145-79 and had almost a full spherical of management time as a 25-1 betting favourite.

Onama on the struggle’s key second

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; David Onama (crimson gloves) fights Roberto Romero (blue gloves) within the light-weight bout throughout UFC 309 at Madison Sq. Backyard. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Penner-Imagn Photos

“I knew the child’s going to come back to struggle, so when he (clipped me within the first spherical), I used to be like, I must get better, get him again within the second spherical – which I did. However issues occur and I must nonetheless (react) – I knew he was going to come back out to struggle – in New York Metropolis, MSG … like, who wouldn’t come out and carry out like that?”

Onama on the extremely short-notice alternative

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; David Onama (crimson gloves) fights Roberto Romero (blue gloves) within the light-weight bout throughout UFC 309 at Madison Sq. Backyard. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Penner-Imagn Photos

“Truthfully, it didn’t matter who they put in entrance of me (on a number of days’ discover). I used to be ready all through my entire struggle camp, so I used to be prepared. I used to be prepared for this week. It didn’t matter who they put in entrance of me. I knew my supervisor was going to search out me someone and I simply needed to keep prepared. After they provided me him, I knew he was going to deliver it. He’s a (UFC) debut man – I do know he was going to. I knew who was going to be hungry, so I wasn’t shocked. He got here in like he was prepared for this. I knew he was going to come back out and put a put up a superb struggle, which he did. I wasn’t shocked in any respect.”

Onama on what he desires subsequent

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 15: (L-R) Lucas Almeida of Brazil punches Timmy Cuamba in a featherweight struggle through the UFC Battle Evening occasion at UFC APEX on June 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photos)

“I nonetheless need that struggle (with Lucas Almeida after he pulled out). I would like that struggle sooner or later. Hopefully February or March – I nonetheless need it. (I used to be) all ready. Every thing I did (in camp) was for him. I really feel like I went and obtained dropped at the moment (towards Romero). I would like (Almeida) again. He did this. He’s the one which precipitated all this, so I would like him again. They known as me and stated he was. He was injured. I didn’t discuss an excessive amount of about it. I pulled out of a struggle earlier than as a result of of my accidents, so I didn’t wish to discuss an excessive amount of about that, no matter he had happening. I don’t wish to talk about it. (I hope for a) quick restoration for him and his workforce, however I would like that struggle again.”

To listen to extra from Onama, take a look at the video of the complete post-fight interview above.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 309.