Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ longtime striking coach Brandon Gibson has some big predictions for his star client. Jones appears all set to finally make his UFC heavyweight debut, a decade after he first threatened to move up sixty pounds to take over another weight division. Gibson told MMAJunkie that Jon Jones is ready to return to the Octagon and show the heavyweights that he is truly on another level in all aspects of the sport.
“I think there’s a lot of areas that Jon could exploit at heavyweight. He has such a wide arsenal of techniques. He’s so dangerous, but you’re right. There’s a lot of heavyweights that are great boxers, that are great in the clinch, but Jon’s wrestling is on another level.
Coach: Heavyweight Jon Jones “On Another Level”
His ground-and-pound is on another level. His jiu-jitsu is on another level. And then just the full spectrum of his striking arsenal, I think, is on another level. So Jon’s gonna bring a lot to the table at heavyweight that I don’t think we’ve ever seen another heavyweight bring.”
The heavyweight division of late has been shaken up by fighters with a more strategic game than we’ve seen among 265-pounders before. While much of the division’s history has been dominated by giants with thunderous knockout power, the likes of Cyril Gane and Tom Aspinall have introduced higher fight IQs and jiu-jitsu, respectively, to the division. Whether Jon Jones, after such a long layoff, and with so much more mass on his body, will compete with the heavyweight elite, remains to be seen. Regardless, Brandon Gibson is very confident.
“We’re just staying ready. It’s been a long process and I feel very confident with the work he’s done to rebuild his body into heavyweight, and the work we’ve been doing almost the last, coming up on, three years I’m very proud of. Jon has put in the work.
There are no shortcuts in this game and he’s really continuing to develop all elements of his game, and whether it’s December or whether it’s another date, whether it’s Stipe or Francis or another opponent, we’re just focused on Jon and his growth.
I see Jon happy, I see Jon focused, and I see him very motivated on capturing this goal that he’s set for himself so I’m happy. I can’t wait to make that walk with him, it’s gonna be special.” Will Jon Jones return to the UFC to dominate once more? Let us know your prediction in the comments.
