Yorgan de Castro, former UFC heavyweight and sparring partner to disgraced former light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, is expecting “Bones” to impress when he eventually makes it to the 265-pound division. Jones has long threatened a move up to heavyweight, but issues with the law and his gym have intervened. With a fight between Jones and former heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic all but confirmed, de Castro told the Trocação Franca podcast that he’s expecting Jones to “run through” the former champ.
““t would have to be someone with good ground game, like Fabricio Werdum, to maybe give him some problems on the ground.
Sparring Partner: Jon Jones Runs Through Stipe Miocic
I don’t see anyone else at heavyweight with a good enough wrestling or ground game. And if they have good wrestling, Jones will be superior on the feet. The Stipe fight will be perfect. Stipe weighs the same and has good boxing.
I think Jones will run through Stipe.”De Castro even has a prediction for the result: a Jones TKO victory with some good old-fashioned ground and pound. “I think [Jones] will take him down and win by TKO.
He’s been waiting two years for this. He’s walking around at 255 pounds but is so strong. And cardio will be the key. He has so much cardio. He hits pads for two hours and doesn’t slow down.
You’re never comfortable with him in sparring. If you start to gets comfortable with the hands, he wrestles you. If you want to get up, he throws elbows and knees.
Not many people can do that at heavyweight. Everybody has heavy hands, but not many people can combine with the wrestling and jiu-jitsu. And Jones’ versatility will make the difference [at heavyweight].”
De Castro even sees Jones taking out the current champ, Francis Ngannou, who recently showcased his own wrestling pedigree in a title defense against Ciryl Gane. Whether that happens or not depends on timing.
“Ngannou will be out nine months to fix his knee and then needs six more months in camp. Jon Jones will already be 35, and Francis will be, what? I think Jones fights once or twice more. He told me he’ll fight three times and that’s it. But if he does fight [Ngannou], it’s hard to go against Jones.
I don’t see anyone touching the man. His wrestling is very, very, very good. His jiu-jitsu is great, he trains with Roberto Alencar at Gracie Barra. And it’s hard to touch him [on the feet]. His distance is great. I don’t think I’ve touched him once. [Laughs.] I walked forward and never touched him. He’s mean, has some techniques that are f****** great. I think he’ll put Ngannou on the ground and will with his cardio, too.”
Do you think it’ll be as easy for Jon Jones as de Castro says? Let us know in the comments.
