Get to Know UFC Fighter David Onama: The Silent Assassin’s Journey
The story of David Aliga Onama is one defined by perseverance, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of a dream across continents. Born in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda on June 7, 1994, David’s early life was marked by the necessity of seeking a better future. When he was 10 years old, he and his family made the life-changing move to the United States, settling in Kansas City, Missouri, with the express goal of seeking a better education and a safer, more stable life.
A New Life, A New Fight
Like many young immigrants, Onama arrived with ambition. He eventually pursued martial arts, turning a childhood passion into a profession. He started training in 2013, falling in love with the combination of combat sports and competition. Onama dedicated himself fully to fighting, calling it his “only job,” and quickly rose through the amateur ranks, amassing a perfect 10-0 record.
He transitioned to professional MMA in 2019, quickly compiling an impressive 8-0 record, capturing the FAC Lightweight Championship along the way. His style is encapsulated in his chilling nickname, the “Silent Assassin”: a fighter who doesn’t rely on trash talk but instead uses explosive striking power and a diverse skill set, boasting seven knockouts and four submissions, to finish his opponents.
The Ultimate Goal
Onama’s path to the UFC was an immediate test of his readiness. He took his promotional debut on short notice at a higher weight class (Lightweight), where he fought a grueling three-round decision loss. Rather than being discouraged, this experience only sharpened his focus. Upon returning to his natural Featherweight division (145 lbs), the “Silent Assassin” truly found his stride.
He has since become a thrilling fixture on the UFC roster, known for his willingness to stand in the pocket and exchange. His highlights include two Performance of the Night bonuses for spectacular stoppages over Gabriel Benitez and Gabriel Santos, showcasing his fight-ending power, which is often unleashed by a potent jab and hidden power. He also earned a Fight of the Night award for a savage, back-and-forth battle with Nate Landwehr, proving he has the heart and conditioning to go to war.
Fighting out of Factory X in Colorado, Onama is part of a high-level training camp that has helped him evolve into a more technical striker. For David Onama, fighting in the UFC is more than a job, it’s the fulfillment of a life-long dream and a commitment to providing a better life for his family. He fights for the people who believe in him, a testament to the fact that hard work pays off and that the quiet determination of the “Silent Assassin” speaks louder than any words.
Ascending to the Featherweight Apex
David Onama’s spectacular run of recent victories has elevated him into the ranked featherweight elite. He is now set to compete in the biggest opportunity of his career, headlining his first-ever UFC event against fellow ranked striker Steve “Mean Machine” Garcia. This five-round main event at UFC Fight Night 263 on November 1, 2025, is a high-stakes clash where two of the division’s most dangerous finishers will collide. For Onama, a dominant victory here would propel him significantly up the Featherweight rankings, putting him on the doorstep of the division’s top contenders and cementing his place as a force to be reckoned with.
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