From Russian Orphanage to Pro Athlete, Julia Jones Proves Dreams Do Come True

Women’s atomweight up-and-comer Julia Jones has come from humble beginnings and now appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough in her career.

Born in Russia before coming to America, Jones built a solid reputation as an amateur before turning pro in 2014 and has since won her first three fights. It’s a development that Jones feels comes from a base of her humble beginnings.

“I was adopted when I was 11, so I grew up in an orphanage, so discipline is not too far from my regular schedule,” Jones told MMAWeekly.com. “I think that’s kind of one of the reasons I fell into fighting with the discipline and structure.

“I’ve learned a lot when it comes to the whole aspect of being a fighter: the dieting, training, what my body can do and how far I can push it. I’m at the point where I’m at a much different level and it’s time to learn more advanced techniques and see what I can do.”

Jones (3-0) will next look to test her development against a fighter she’s admired for some time, when she takes on Paulina Granados (2-1) in a feature 105-pound bout at Rocks Xtreme MMA on Sept. 5 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

“I looked up to her when I first started fighting,” Jones said of Granados. “We’ve both fought some of the same people, and when it comes to fighting I feel we’re so similar. I feel like this is going to be a very exciting fight.

“I respect her as a fighter. She’s good everywhere and those are the fights I love to get. I’d love to go in there against a high-level athlete and see what I can do.”

Jones feels she’ll open eyes with a strong performance against Granados.

“Stepping into the cage with somebody whose fights I’ve seen and someone I’d hope to be fighting, I feel like in general that is an accomplishment,” said Jones. “I’ve been in this career for five years now, but a lot of people underestimate me, so a win over someone on that level will definitely put me on the map.”

Among the opportunities that Jones hopes to come her way is a return to Russia to fight in her country of birth and show people that great things can be accomplished no matter what their origins.

“I’m an orphan who came from nothing, and now I’m a pro athlete coming out of the ‘land of dreams’, so I’d like to show people that it is possible that you can come from the bottom and still be successful,” said Jones.

“(Fighting in Russia) would be like coming full-circle, and definitely connect my whole journey, so it makes sense to me. One day I will be there and I’m looking forward to it.”