David Onama
{{short description|Ugandan mixed martial artist}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=July 2025}}
{{reliable sources|section|date=July 2025}}
{{expand section|examples and additional citations|date=July 2025}}
}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = David Onama
| other_names = Silent Assassin
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|06|07}}
| birth_place = Kyangwali, Uganda
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| nationality =
| Spouse =
| height = {{convert|5|ft|11|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| weight_lb = 145
| weight_class = Featherweight (2019–present)
Lightweight
(2019, 2021, 2024)
| reach_in = 72
| style =
| rank =
| stance =
| fighting_out_of = Kansas City, Missouri
| trainer =
| team =
| years_active = 2019–present
| mma_kowin = 7
| mma_subwin = 4
| mma_decwin = 3
| mma_koloss =
| mma_subloss =
| mma_decloss = 2
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 23782
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
David Aliga Onama{{Cite web|title=David Onama ("Silent Assassin") {{!}} MMA Fighter Page {{!}} Tapology |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/104455-david-onama#:~:text=Given%20Name%3A%20David%20Aliga%20Onama,of%20Birth%3A%201994%20Jun%2007 |access-date=2025-07-13|website=www.tapology.com}} (born June 7, 1994) is a Ugandan professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).{{Cite web|title=Stats {{!}} UFC |url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/ffe9703408fb5964 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=ufcstats.com}} As of July 1, 2025, he is ranked #13 in the UFC featherweight rankings.{{Cite web|title=UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions {{!}} UFC.com | url=https://www.ufc.com/rankings |access-date=2025-07-13|website=www.ufc.com}}
Early life
According to his fighter profile, Onama was born in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda. He eventually moved to Kansas City, Missouri to pursue MMA.
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
As an amateur, Onama amassed a record of 10–0.{{Cite web | title=David Onama ("Silent Assassin") {{!}} MMA Fighter Page {{!}} Tapology | url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/104455-david-onama | access-date=2025-07-13 | website=www.tapology.com}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Bitter|first=Shawn|title=UFC Vegas 41 Results: Mason Jones Claims Victory in Grueling Fight with David Onama |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/10/23/ufc-vegas-41-results-david-onama-vs-mason-jones/ |access-date=2025-07-13 | website=cagesidepress.com}}
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.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|title=UFC Vegas 48: David Onama Launches Violent Barrage of Strikes, Finishes Gabriel Benitez |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/02/19/ufc-vegas-48-gabriel-benitez-vs-david-onama/ |access-date=2025-07-13 | website=cagesidepress.com}} This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.{{cite web|url=https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/ufc-vegas-48-bonus-report-kyle-daukaus-among-four-potn-winners/|title=UFC Vegas 48 Bonus Report: Kyle Daukaus among four 'POTN' winners|publisher=bjpenn.com|author=Chris Taylor|date=2022-02-19|access-date=2025-07-13}}
Onama was scheduled to face Austin Lingo on July 9, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 39,{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/05/13/david-onama-vs-austin-lingo-set-july-9-ufc-event/|title=David Onama vs. Austin Lingo set for July 9 UFC event|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2022-05-13|access-date=2025-07-13}} but Lingo withdrew for undisclosed reasons during fight week and was replaced by Garrett Armfield.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/07/ufc-fight-night-208-vegas-david-onama-vs-austin-lingo-withdraws|title=David Onama awaits new UFC Fight Night 208 opponent after Austin Lingo withdraws|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2022-07-04|access-date=2025-07-13}}{{Cite web|author=Jay Anderson |date=2022-07-06 |title=UFC Vegas 58 undergoes some last minute changes |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/07/06/ufc-vegas-58-undergoes-last-minute-changes/ |access-date=2025-07-13|publisher=cagesidepress.com}} He won via arm triangle in the second round.{{Cite web|title=UFC Vegas 58: David Onama Submits Old Foe Garrett Armfield |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/07/09/ufc-vegas-58-david-onama-finishes-armfield-via-submission-round-2/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=cagesidepress.com}}
Onama fought Nate Landwehr on August 13, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 41. He lost the bout by majority decision.{{Cite web|last=Dewar|first=Val|title=Nate Landwehr, David Onama Tear the House Down at UFC San Diego |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/08/13/ufc-san-diego-nate-landwehr-vs-david-onama/ |access-date=2025-07-13|website=cagesidepress.com}} This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/13/23304780/ufc-san-diego-bonuses-nate-landwehr-david-onama-earn-fight-of-the-night-for-unbelievable-battle|title=UFC San Diego bonuses: Nate Landwehr, David Onama earn ‘Fight of the Night’ for unbelievable battle|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2022-08-13|access-date=2025-07-13}}
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.{{Cite web |title=UFC VEGAS 67 {{!}} JARNO ERRENS NIET IN ACTIE OP 14 JANUARI VANWEGE EEN SCHOUDERBLESSURE |url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/ufc-vegas-67-jarno-errens-niet-in-actie-op-14-januari-vanwege-een-schouderblessure_sto9260857/story.shtml |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=www.eurosport.com |language=Dutch}}
Onama was scheduled to face Khusein Askhabov on June 3, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 46, but Askhabov withdrew after being arrested in Thailand.{{Cite web | title=UFC scraps Khusein Askhabov vs. Daniel Pineda after Askhabov’s arrest in Thailand - Yahoo Sports | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-scraps-khusein-askhabov-vs-010549907.html | access-date=2025-07-13 | website=sports.yahoo.com}}
Onama faced Gabriel Santos on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. He won the bout via uppercut KO in round 2.{{Cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|title=UFC Jacksonville: David Onama Defeats Gabriel Santos by Uppercut KO |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/06/24/ufc-jacksonville-david-onama-vs-gabriel-santos/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=cagesidepress.com}} This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-abc-5-jacksonvillle-bonuses-ilia-topuria-maycee-barber-josh-emmett-david-onama-submission-knockout-50000|title=UFC on ABC 5 bonuses: Ilia Topuria’s 50-42 scorecard helps net extra $50,000|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Matt Erickson|date=2023-06-24|access-date=2025-07-13}}
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.{{Cite web|last=Cruz|first=Guilherme|title=Injury knocks David Onama, Lucas Alexander off UFC Sao Paulo - MMA Fighting |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/10/31/23940865/injury-david-onama-lucas-alexander-off-ufc-sao-paulo |access-date=2025-07-13|website=www.mmafighting.com}}
Onama faced Jonathan Pearce on April 27, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 55. He won the bout via unanimous decision. {{Cite web |last=Anderson|first=Jay|title=UFC Vegas 91: Despite Weight Miss, David Onama Too Quick, High-Paced for Jonathan Pearce |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/04/27/ufc-vegas-91-despite-weight-miss-david-onama-too-quick-high-paced-for-jonathan-pearce/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=cagesidepress.com}}
Onama faced Roberto Romero on November 16, 2024 at UFC 309. He won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Bitter|first=Shawn|title=UFC 309: David Onama Claims Win In Entertaining Tilt with Roberto Romero |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/11/16/ufc-309-david-onama-earns-decision-in-entertaining-tilt-with-newcomer-roberto-romero/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=cagesidepress.com}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Anderson|first=Jay|title=UFC Kansas City: David Onama Scores Biggest Career Win, Bests Giga Chikadze |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/04/26/ufc-kansas-city-david-onama-scores-biggest-career-win-bests-giga-chikadze/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=cagesidepress.com}}
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.{{Cite web |title=UFC's David Onama dragged into Zach Bryan-Brianna Chickenfry mess|url=https://nypost.com/2024/11/20/sports/ufcs-david-onama-dragged-into-zach-bryan-brianna-chickenfry-mess/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121004957/https://nypost.com/2024/11/20/sports/ufcs-david-onama-dragged-into-zach-bryan-brianna-chickenfry-mess/ |access-date=2025-07-13|archive-date=2024-11-21}}
Championships and accomplishments
=Mixed martial arts=
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (two times) vs. {{small|Gabriel Benitez and Gabriel Santos}}
- Fight of the Night vs. {{small|Nate Landwehr}}
- Fighting Alliance Championship
- FAC Lightweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|draws=
|ko-wins=7
|ko-losses=
|sub-wins=4
|sub-losses=
|dec-wins=3
|dec-losses=2
|nc=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|14–2
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates
|{{dts|2025|April|26}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Kansas City, Missouri, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (147 lb) bout; Chikadze missed weight.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|13–2
|Roberto Romero
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2024|November|16}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|New York City, New York, United States
|{{small|Lightweight bout.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|12–2
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez
|{{dts|2024|April|27}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (148.5 lb) bout; Onama missed weight.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|11–2
|Gabriel Santos
|KO (punch)
|UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria
|{{dts|2023|June|24}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:13
|Jacksonville, Florida, United States
|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–2
|Decision (majority)
|{{dts|2022|August|13}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|San Diego, California, United States
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–1
|Garrett Armfield
|Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)
|UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev
|{{dts|2022|July|9}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:13
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–1
|KO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill
|{{dts|2022|February|19}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:24
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Return to Featherweight; Benítez missed weight (148 lb). Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|8–1
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori
|{{dts|2021|October|23}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–0
|Brad Robison
|KO (punches)
|FAC 10
|{{dts|2021|October|8}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:12
|Independence, Missouri, United States
|{{small|Won the vacant FAC Lightweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–0
|Mike Plazola
|TKO (knee injury)
|FAC 7
|{{dts|2021|March|5}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:44
|Kansas City, Missouri, United States
|{{small|Return to Lightweight.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–0
|Justin Overton
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|FAC 4
|{{dts|2020|October|9}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|1:42
|Independence, Missouri, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–0
|Sam Agushi
|TKO (punches)
|FAC 3
|{{dts|2020|August|20}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:48
|Independence, Missouri, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–0
|Antonio Castillo Jr.
|TKO (punches)
|FAC 2
|{{dts|2020|February|22}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:01
|Independence, Missouri, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–0
|Sam Hernandez
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Kansas City Fighting Alliance 34
|{{dts|2019|July|27}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:41
|Independence, Missouri, United States
|{{small|Featherweight debut.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|Raymond Bighead
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|Kansas City Fighting Alliance 33
|{{dts|2019|May|4}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:12
|Independence, Missouri, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Francisco Pintos
|TKO (punches)
|Kansas City Fighting Alliance 32
|{{dts|2019|February|23}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:30
|Independence, Missouri, United States
|{{small|Lightweight debut.}}
{{end}}