It’s snowing in Boston.
Back home, Guam is doing what Guam does in February – warm trade winds, blue water, slippers weather. But on Saturday night, Trevin “5 Star” Jones will walk into a cage in the middle of a New England winter, carrying island heat with him.
Jones (13-10, 1 NC) faces Jay Perrin (11-8) in a bantamweight (135 pounds) showdown at Cage Titans: Revolution on Feb. 21 in Boston. For Jones, it’s his first fight in 18 months – and his first since tearing his shoulder in his last outing.
“I’m just finishing up preparation,” Jones told The Guam Daily Post. “Preparation started on Guam, and it went well. I feel good. I’m ready to go.”
Back in rhythm
Jones began camp on island before reconnecting in Las Vegas with his original coach from Guam, Russell Nunez – now owner of the Prada Training Center – along with longtime training partners, including Drew Palomo.
“Yes, absolutely,” Jones said of linking up with his Vegas crew. “I was able to connect with him. … A lot of other training partners that I grew up with, training in Vegas.”
The 34-year-old former UFC bantamweight hasn’t fought since mid-2023, when he tore his shoulder. The layoff, he said, is motivation.
“My last fight was about 18 months ago so it’s been a while,” Jones said. “I tore my shoulder in that fight, and I’m looking to make up for the time lost.”
As for the shoulder?
“No fighter goes in there not injured,” he said. “Yes, I got a little nagging injury, some small things. Nothing that makes me not want to fight, nothing that makes me think I can’t put this guy away. I’m ready to go.”
Only tough fights
Jones isn’t easing back in.
Perrin, a Massachusetts native and former UFC fighter, has shared the cage with high-level competition and will have the hometown crowd behind him. Three weeks ago, Perrin posted on Instagram: “Finally! I can announce I will be fighting Trevin Jones in 3 weeks time! He has wins over some of the best in the world, and I’m excited for the opportunity to put him down. I can feel another special performance on the way!”
Jones wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s another tough challenge,” he said. “But that’s the only kind of fight that I accept. That’s the only kind of fight that I want on my resume. I’m a former UFC fighter. You have to test yourself against top talent. I’m always fighting top guys from wherever they’re from. We’re from Guam – we’re rolling that way.”
Tale of the tape
Trevin Jones
Guam
Record: 13-10 (1 NC)
Age: 34
Height: 5-foot-7
Reach: 70 inches
Jay Perrin
Massachusetts
Record: 11-8
Age: 31
Height: 5-foot-7
Reach: 67 inches
*Stats compiled from Tapology and Sherdog fighter profiles
According to early betting lines posted by regional MMA odds trackers and shared by BetOnline, Perrin opened as a slight favorite at around minus-150, with Jones listed as a plus-120 underdog.
For Guam fans, that underdog tag is familiar territory.
Jones’ corner will feature his brother, Tyrone Jones, Marcelo Nunez and Matthew Nelson.
He said he will post streaming details and a promo code on his Instagram, #trev5starjones, and WhatsApp channels for fans wanting to watch live from Guam and abroad.
“It’s all the way in Boston,” Jones said. “I’m going to update all my Guam people immediately.”
Jones also took time to thank his sponsors, including ISC Guam, Vida BJJ, Todo Mauleg, Auto Spot, Where You At Mobile Detailing, Guam Squeaky Clean Service, Upgrade, Benavente Striking System and the Guam Visitors Bureau. He also gave a nod to OnlyFans from Imagine.
“They take care of me,” Jones said. “They cover a big part of these trips and help fighters be able to make some money. It’s not what everybody thinks it is. They definitely help out the fighters.”
Saturday night will be business. Snow on the ground. A hometown crowd for Perrin. A long layoff for Jones. Two former UFC bantamweights trying to claw their way back into bigger conversations.
On a card that also features 18 pro bouts, including one Muay Thai and two boxing matches, the Jones-Perrin matchup stands out as the most battle-tested pairing of the night.
Guam will be watching from 6,000 miles away, around lunchtime Sunday, and probably in slippers, not snow boots.
Jones plans to bring the heat anyway.