UFC light heavyweight contender Jon “Bones” Jones (12-1) is preparing for the biggest challenge of his career when he meets champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in just less than two weeks. Both men will be fighting for the title, one to defend it and the other to claim it, when they meet on March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey in the main event of UFC 128.
As part of his preparations for the upcoming fight, Jones trains under world renowned coach Greg Jackson who has helped numerous mixed martial arts fighters improve their game and become champions.
In an interview with BloodyElbow.com, Jackson spoke to them about how much more Jones has yet to improve and that we’ve yet to see him peak as a fighter. “Bones” is just 23 years old and holds a solid record to his name, with the only loss of his young career being a disqualification in a fight he dominated against Matt Hamill.
“Well you know we just have to make sure he [Jones] peaks at the right time again,” Jackson explained. “That is very important. That he stays creative and in love with it so that he doesn’t get burned out. Otherwise we just game plan like we always do, make sure that we watch those things and make sure that he has a good time…The thing about that is Jon [Jones] is not a complete fighter yet for me. He’s still learning. If he wins this fight against Rua then that is great but if he loses this fight it doesn’t really matter to me because he’s improving and he’s getting better. The Jon Jones you see just turned 23. Wait three years. Wait four years…just wait until we really get him going and then you will see who Jon Jones is. If he can keep his head, stay focused during all of this success and he is “that” individual like GSP is then there are great things in his future.”