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Featherweight David Onama Plans to Reach UFC in 2021

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David Onama, a 6-0 featherweight prospect, will look to keep his undefeated record intact. The Glory MMA & Fitness product is slated to take on Mike Plazola in a 150-lb. catchweight contest at FAC 7 on Friday, March 5.

David Onama vs. Mike Plazola

Onama said Plazola is an aggressive and powerful striker with really good Jiu-Jitsu.

“My game plan is to close the distance on him and not let him get too close to me,” Onama told MMASucka.

Onama, who captured the KC Fighting Alliance amateur featherweight title in his last amateur bout in February 2018, said he would love to fight for a title with Fighting Alliance Championship following a win over Plazola if the opportunity arises.

“I’m always here to fight,” he said. “I make weight, I show up, I fight and perform well. Whatever opportunity they’ve got for me, I’m going to take it and see where it goes from there.”

Training Under Krause

Onama joined Glory MMA & Fitness in 2014 following his graduation from high school. Before his first amateur fight, he was training under James Krause, a current UFC welterweight who has been making a splash as a coach and cornerman.

“It feels amazing training under James Krause,” Onama said. “Day one, he took me in and got me to where I need to be today. Without him, I don’t know where I would be, honestly. We all get better under James Krause. He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ve trained with in my whole life. I love the gym, man. Everybody’s family there. Brothers and sisters.”

Onama says, under Krause, he has developed a calm approach to his fights while still giving fans what they want to see. He has finished five of his six professional victories as a result.

The prospect said he’s more of a striker, but he’s worked on his wrestling and grappling.

“I can grapple, it’s just, I don’t really use it in my fights as much, which I need to start doing,” he said. “Most fighters I fight don’t think I can grapple, so they try to shoot on me, and then, from there, that’s when they find out. I just don’t use it as much in my fights. I need to change that, though. I need to show these guys I can grapple.”

David Onama’s 2021 Goal

Onama said he’s aiming to reach the UFC as opposed to any other major organization.

“That’s why I started fighting. All I wanted to do was be in the UFC. Growing up, all I did was watch UFC.”

His timetable on reaching the Octagon? Sooner than you might think.

“By the end of 2021, I will be in the UFC for sure. All my hard work I’ve been putting in, it’s definitely gonna pay off pretty soon.”

Onama said he would be up to competing for a FAC title, but he also believes he’ll be ready for the UFC after he “beats up Mike Plazola.”

“There are some guys I could for sure beat up in the UFC right now,” he said. “As soon as I beat Mike Plazola, I’ll be ready for the UFC for sure.”

Onama is calling a second-round TKO or knockout finish of Plazola.

“I’m for sure going to take him out in the second round,” he said. “With how good my striking, I don’t think he can stand up with me at all. He’s going to shoot, and I’ll stop that shot and take him out in the second round by TKO or knockout.”

FAC 7 is slated to go down March 5 from the Cable Dahmer Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be main evented by Trey Ogden and Darius Estell, who are clashing at lightweight. David Onama and Mike Plazola are penciled in as the co-main event, according to Tapology.

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Michael is a big MMA fan who enjoys interviewing the sport's athletes, writing about the sport, and just discussing it. He earned his Master's in Journalism at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and his B.A. in Journalism at Stony Brook University. He also enjoys hockey, football and baseball. Feel free to hit him up if you want to discuss MMA, or any other sport!

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