UFC commentator Laura Sanko has revealed fascinating insights into the preparation methods behind Jack Della‘s recent victory over Belal Muhammad, crediting Craig Jones with developing the “anti-Dagestani wrestling key.”
Speaking on Submission Radio, Sanko shared her personal experience training with Jones, who had been working directly with Jack Della‘s team ahead of UFC 315.
“We had a great time. We rolled and like, you know, obviously he’s barely barely even breathing and I’m like dying because I haven’t been training very hard,”
Sanko explained about her session with the Australian submission specialist.
What made the encounter particularly intriguing was Jones‘ willingness to demonstrate the specific techniques he had been developing for Belal.
“I asked him I was like, you know, I’m not going to tell anybody. I’m not calling the match. So, can you show me? And he did. And man, they each and every single one of them played out in the match,”
Sanko revealed.
The revelation has significant implications for understanding how MMA stars are evolving their approaches to counter the traditionally dominant Dagestani wrestling style that has been exemplified by stars like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Jones, known for his innovative approach to grappling and his ability to neutralize wrestling-heavy opponents, appears to have developed a systematic method for dealing with this specific style.
“I’m definitely on board with the idea that Craig Jones is the uh is the is the key, the anti-Dagestani wrestling key,”
Sanko stated emphatically during the interview.
This partnership between Jones and Jack Della represents an interesting evolution in MMA training, where specialists from different combat sports backgrounds are brought in to address specific tactical challenges. Jones, who has made a name for himself in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling world, has increasingly become involved in MMA training camps, bringing his unique perspective on ground control and submission defense.
