Craig Jones has been keeping busy. Jones has been helping Alex Volkanovski prepare to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Volkanovski has an uphill battle, considering Makhachev is fairly taller and bulkier.
Jones made waves when he described Makhachev’s Combat Sambo origins as subpar in terms of submission skills.
He was present for open workouts earlier today in Perth, Australia where he helped Volkanovski display his grappling for the fans.
Former UFC middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, was on hand for Volkanovski’s open work out and shared what it was like training with Jones.
Jones typically competes between 88kg (194lbs) and 99kg divisions (218lbs) – so he’s a fair bit bigger than Volkanovski who will be weighing in at 155lbs later today.
“That’s Craig Jones on stage with him. What do you like, what you see from him right now? Oh, I think a lot of people kind of appreciate what we’ve seen right now. I know Craig Jones. That’s Craig Jones working with him right now. I know Craig Jones has been with him his whole camp.”
“Craig Jones’ grappling is world level. I think he’s like silver medalist in the ADCC. He is unbelievable. I’ve grappled with him and I felt like a kid. I’ve felt like how my son feels when I grapple him. It is ridiculous. His level of grappling. So, for Volk, to be working with him so relentlessly and full time the way he has been like, it’s got to he’s got it.”
“He’s going to be ready for a grappling game. He’s going to be ready for any submission Makhachev and pulls out.” – Whittaker told Submission Radio
