David Onama

David Aliga Onama, known by the nickname "Silent Assassin," is a Ugandan-American mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the first Ugandan-born fighter to compete in the promotion and continues to represent Uganda when he walks to the cage.

Onama was born in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda before relocating to the United States with his family at age ten in search of educational opportunity and a better life, eventually settling in Kansas City, Missouri. After finishing high school, financial circumstances kept him from continuing his education, and he instead discovered a natural talent for combat sports, which pulled him into martial arts training as an alternative path forward.

He built a reportedly unbeaten amateur record before turning professional on the Midwest regional circuit, where he captured featherweight titles with promotions including KCFA and FAC en route to earning a UFC contract. He now trains out of Factory X Muay Thai under coach Marc Montoya, working alongside fellow UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal.

Onama is known as an aggressive, high-output striker who pressures opponents behind heavy volume and power, but his finishing ability is not limited to the feet -- he has also shown a credible submission game on the mat, giving him legitimate ways to end fights standing or on the ground.

Career highlights include a notable win over veteran contender Giga Chikadze, along with Performance of the Night bonuses for stoppage victories over Gabriel Santos and Gabriel Benitez. His back-and-forth battle with

Stats last updated: August 09, 2026