If Dominic Jones had his way, he might be a spectator tonight at Superior Cage Fighting’s “War in the Heartland” event at the Roll Arena in Elyria.
“After my first fight I didn’t even want to do it any more,” Jones said. “I thought it was just going to be one fight and that was it.”
Jones won his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut in May at Quaker Steak and Lube in Sheffield, has looked great in three fights since and will fight for the final time as an amateur this weekend. After his 155-pound title fight tonight, he will turn pro.
“The kid’s pretty prepared for what’s coming,” said Paul Goins, Jones’ current manager. “I told Dominic I’d like Mike (Camp) to manage his pro career. Mike has all the contacts we need and he’s been following Dominic’s career, and, actually, it was Mike that brought it up to me that Dominic should turn pro.”
Camp already manages several professional fighters and was recently signed by SCF to be the promotion’s matchmaker.
“His athleticism,” said Camp, who is from Canal Fulton, when asked what impresses him the most about Jones.
“He’s very well-versed for an amateur fighter. I’d say his strongest aspect is his wrestling. He has such a tremendous shot that it’s almost impossible to stop.”
Jones’ wrestling skills took him to the Division I state tournament as a senior at Amherst. His boxing skills earned him a pair of gold medals at the Junior Olympics. He’s also worked out in jiu jitsu for the past eight years with his father.
It sounds like the perfect resume for a mixed martial arts fighter.
“Paul saw me fight and said, ‘Well, you’re pretty good,’” Jones said. “So he talked me into fighting again. I didn’t expect to win, but I did and it just became addicting. Just like wrestling. I never wanted to wrestle and then I won my first wrestling match when I was just a little kid and ever since I couldn’t stay off the mats.”
Jones holds a 3-1 record as an amateur,  although Goins said Jones dominated every second of his lone defeat and was victimized by “the worst judging we’ve ever had.” Every one of Jones’ fights has gone the distance, and he captured a championship belt in his last match and could earn the SCF’s interim title tonight.
“I think that’s impressive on his resume,” Camp said. “I’m hoping that he’s prepared and comes out and takes this opportunity to win this title. It’d be the cherry on top of his amateur career.”
Goins said Jones will be trying to shy away from his strength as a wrestler for his next fight, and using his boxing skills to go toe-to-toe with his opponent.
“We have a new game plan for Dominic, we’re breaking out the stand-up,” Goins said. “We’ve been working really hard on his stand-up and we’re going to try and keep him on his feet during the fight. Dominic’s stand-up in the gym has gotten phenomenal. He’s one of my best strikers now. That wasn’t the case four or five months ago.”
Camp’s also impressed with Jones’ skills on his feet, but he said there are things the young fighter still has to fix as he begins his professional career.
“He needs to work on his positioning and being able to stay out of submission attempts on the ground,” Camp said. “We’re going to start bringing in some other coaches and probably ship him to a couple other teams to work with. I know I’d like him to work with Josh Hendricks of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). He’s got a school in Fairlawn and I’d like Dominic to get some work in there.”
Jones would keep the Powerhouse Gym in Elyria as his home base and would become Team Powerhouse’s first pro fighter, but the idea of sparring with other pro fighters is definitely appealing.
“That’s going to be cool,” Jones said. “I’m the kind of guy who likes to be around guys who are better than me … that makes me better. I like the idea of being around guys who are going to push me, make me better and show me what being a professional fighter is all about.”
Contact Shaun Bennett at 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com.

TONIGHT

WHAT: Superior Cage Fighting presents “War in the Heartland”
TIME: 7 o’clock
WHERE: Elyria Roll Arena
LINEUP: Four title fights and 16 undercard bouts
TICKETS: $35 for silver seating, $30 for general admission. Call 309-4459 for details.
 

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