PITTSBURGH— He may be getting a bit of a late start in MMA fighting, but Butler resident Mason DeLess got an early start in martial arts.

And he’s taking advantage of it.

DeLess, 29, is turning pro in MAA fighting after compiling a record of 6-3 as an amateur from 2018 through this year. He had a no-contest in another amateur bout. His three losses are to opponents with a combined 12-3 record at the time.

“I feel like I’m well-prepared to do this,” DeLess said.

His cousin in 9th degree black belt grand master Robert Zang, who has taught mixed martial arts for years. DeLess began working with Zang at age 4 and stayed with him through age 9.

He took up wrestling in seventh grade and was a member of Butler’s wrestling team in high school.

“I had a couple of varsity matches, but we had so many kids around my weight class, I didn’t really crack the lineup,” DeLess said. “But those years on the mat, learning those moves, serve me well in MMA.

“I didn’t go to college, so I began doing auto body work as a collision technician for 10 years. I’m still doing that, but I missed athletics and competing. I wanted to get into some type of training.”

He opted for jiu-jitzu and began working out at the Stout Pittsburgh gym, which happened to have a MMA team. DeLess did jiu-jitzu for roughly six years “and I got really good, really fast.

“I knew how to use my hips and grapple. When I told them (at the gym) I wanted to fight, that’s how it all started. It just took off from there.”

DeLess is 5-foot-9 competes at 125 pounds, the flyweight division. He is the top-ranked amateur flyweight in Pennsylvania and is ranked No. 5 out of 120 fighters in the U.S. Northeast.

He is a member of Team Renzo Gracie, based out of the Stout gym.

“He is dedicated to this and he’s going in the right direction,” Team Renzo Gracie coach Mike Wilkins said. “Mason has work to do, but he’s ready to turn pro. He’s tall and long, which is a big benefit in this sport.”

Wilkins said the average flyweight stands 5-5, giving DeLess a reach advantage against most opponents.

“Combine that with his striking ability ... He hits very hard. He’s probably the hardest hitting flyweight in the world and I’m not exaggerating. The snap in his punches, he hits with the force of a fighter 30 pounds heavier,” Wilkins said.

DeLess hopes to make his pro MMA debut sometime in the spring of 2023.

“I have no set goal here. I just want to take this as far as possible,” he said. “I’m definitely not limiting myself in terms of potential. I’d love to wind up on the UFC Tour at some point.

“I’ve had good training. I want to take some time and do some high-level jiu-jitzu tournaments, further strengthen myself in that area.”

DeLess has had his nose broken during fights. He’s broken his sternum twice. He said a big part of the sport is “being able to take the punishment and respond to it.

“I’ve been in some wars,” he added.

In breaking down DeLess’ fighting abilities, Wilkins said his striking is his biggest asset.

“That doesn’t mean his grappling is a weakness,” Wilkins pointed out. “Mason doesn’t really have a weakness. He can focus on his grappling and make it a little better. It’s pretty good right now.

“It just doesn’t compare to his striking ability.”

Wilkins is excited about DeLess’ potential as a pro.

“MMA is a dangerous sport,” he allowed. “But Mason DeLess is a dangerous fighter.”

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