David Onama
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David Aliga Onama (born June 7, 1994) is a Ugandan professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Early life
Onama was born on 7 June 1994 in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda. His family later relocated to the United States, and he now fights out of Kansas City, Missouri, training at FactoryX Muay Thai.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
As an amateur, Onama amassed a record of 10–0. Before signing with the UFC, Onama had an undefeated record of 8–0.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Onama made his debut against Mason Jones on short notice at UFC Fight Night 196 as a replacement for Alan Patrick after he withdrew. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Onama faced Gabriel Benitez on February 19, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 201 on 18 days notice. He won the fight via first round knockout. This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.
Onama was scheduled to face Austin Lingo on July 9, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 39, but Lingo withdrew for undisclosed reasons during fight week and was replaced by Garrett Armfield. He won via arm triangle in the second round.
Onama fought Nate Landwehr on August 13, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 41. He lost the bout by majority decision. This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.
Onama was scheduled to fight Jarno Errens on January 14, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 217, but the bout was scrapped due to Errens sustaining a shoulder injury.
Onama was scheduled to face Khusein Askhabov on June 3, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 46, but Askhabov withdrew after being arrested in Thailand.
Onama faced Gabriel Santos on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. He won the bout via uppercut KO in round 2. This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.
Onama was scheduled to face Lucas Alexander on November 4, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 231, however, he would pull out due to an undisclosed injury.
Onama faced Jonathan Pearce on April 27, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 55. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Onama faced Roberto Romero on November 16, 2024 at UFC 309. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Onama faced Giga Chikadze on April 26, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 66. He won the bout via unanimous decision and earned himself a ranking in the top 15 of the featherweight division.
Onama faced Steve Garcia in the main event on November 1, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 263. He suffered his first stoppage loss via technical knockout in the first round.
Personal life
During the octagon interview after his win at UFC 309, Onama gave a shoutout to country singer Zach Bryan. It was revealed later that he did this because Bryan's management team offered Onama and his team free tickets if he received a live shoutout.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (two times) vs. Gabriel Benitez and Gabriel Santos Fight of the Night vs. Nate Landwehr
- Fighting Alliance Championship FAC Lightweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 17matches | 14 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 1 |
| By submission | 4 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 14–3 | Steve Garcia | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Garcia vs. Onama | November 1, 2025 | 1 | 3:34 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–2 | Giga Chikadze | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates | April 26, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Catchweight (147 lb) bout; Chikadze missed weight. |
| Win | 13–2 | Roberto Romero | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 309 | November 16, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | New York City, New York, United States | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 12–2 | Jonathan Pearce | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez | April 27, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (148.5 lb) bout; Onama missed weight. |
| Win | 11–2 | Gabriel Santos | KO (punch) | UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria | June 24, 2023 | 2 | 4:13 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 10–2 | Nate Landwehr | Decision (majority) | UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz | August 13, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–1 | Garrett Armfield | Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev | July 9, 2022 | 2 | 3:13 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Gabriel Benítez | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill | February 19, 2022 | 1 | 4:24 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Featherweight; Benítez missed weight (148 lb). Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 8–1 | Mason Jones | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori | October 23, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Brad Robison | KO (punches) | Fighting Alliance Championship 10 | October 8, 2021 | 1 | 2:12 | Independence, Missouri, United States | Won the vacant FAC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–0 | Mike Plazola | TKO (knee injury) | Fighting Alliance Championship 7 | March 5, 2021 | 1 | 0:44 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Return to Lightweight. |
| Win | 6–0 | Justin Overton | Submission (guillotine choke) | Fighting Alliance Championship 4 | October 9, 2020 | 3 | 1:42 | Independence, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Sam Agushi | TKO (punches) | Fighting Alliance Championship 3 | August 20, 2020 | 1 | 3:48 | Independence, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Antonio Castillo Jr. | TKO (punches) | Fighting Alliance Championship 2 | February 22, 2020 | 1 | 3:01 | Independence, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Sam Hernandez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Kansas City Fighting Alliance 34 | July 27, 2019 | 2 | 1:41 | Independence, Missouri, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 2–0 | Raymond Bighead | Submission (guillotine choke) | Kansas City Fighting Alliance 33 | May 4, 2019 | 1 | 0:12 | Independence, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Francisco Pintos | TKO (punches) | Kansas City Fighting Alliance 32 | February 23, 2019 | 2 | 1:30 | Independence, Missouri, United States | Lightweight debut. |