‘It’s my time now’: UFC’s David Onama ready for his moment back home in Kansas City
UFC featherweight David Onama is ready to put on a show in his hometown.
The 30-year-old mixed martial artist will have plenty of family, friends and teammates on hand as he steps into the spotlight at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Saturday night to take on veteran Giga Chikadze on the main card of UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs. Prates.
“The whole city’s coming out,” Onama told media Wednesday.
“I’m just ready to show out this weekend,” he said.
A scroll back through the years on his Instagram profile brings up highlights from early in his career, training with Glory MMA & Fitness, and fights at the Truman Memorial Building and Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence. Onama’s professional debut came in 2019 after a 10-0 amateur run that started in 2014, according to Tapology.
“It’s been a long journey for me,” he said. “I started out my career out here as an amateur, pro and now I’m fighting at the T-Mobile Center. It’s been a crazy week. It’s everything that I’ve dreamed of, and now it’s all here now. I’m just happy, just to be here.”
Onama (13-2-0) is listed as a slight betting favorite over Chikadze (15-4-0) and is on a three-fight winning streak heading into Saturday’s bout.
Onama envisioned the fight with Chikadze happening one day: He said he manifested the contest into reality. He said he’s been watching Chikadze’s fights for years and considers himself a fan.
But: “I’m fighting who’s in front of me,” he said. “I don’t care about the name or what he did. I just feel like it’s my time now.”
With a win, Onama, who is currently unranked in the UFC’s featherweight division, sees himself claiming the No. 12 next to Chikadze’s name.
“It’s a huge opportunity,” he said. “It means a lot to me, being back home and fighting in my hometown.”
