‘The Last Rodeo’
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Jones’ striking coach dishes on how ‘terrifying’ Jones will be to fight against at UFC 309, and what may or may not happen after his fight with Stipe Miocic on November 16th.
Jon Jones is looking leaner and meaner than he ever has coming into his UFC 309 heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic.
That’s according to Jones’ longtime striking coach Brandon “Six Gun” Gibson, who dished on Jones’ long-awaited return to the cage after a year away due to injury.
“Jon looks better right now than he did two weeks out before that last Stipe fight that we were scheduled for,” Gibson told MMA Fighting in a new interview. “And even [better than] fight day for Ciryl Gane. So I’m very, very excited to see this heavyweight version of Jon Jones this November 2024.”
Jones’ training camp has featured a number of special guests including Gable Steveson, Joseph Parker, Gordon Ryan, and even Dana White’s life-expansion guru Gary Brecka. All that leads Gibson to believe we’re about to witness something special in the cage come November 16th.
“You saw his recent photo, how lean he’s getting for heavyweight,” he said. “And then we just assembled this super team of training partners and coaches. Jon is the greatest student in the game as well, so he’s always learning, and I think he’s already the most dangerous heavyweight there is. And now you add in this plethora of new tools.”
“It’s just terrifying. He would be a nightmare to coach against because there’s no path to victory against Jon Jones.”
Gibson said they were extremely focused on beating Miocic and not listening to any of the internet armchair experts dismissing the fight as a gimme for Jones. As for what will happen afterwards in regard to his often-discussed retirement?
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“Physically, mentally, he could he go on and have 5 or 6 more great performances,” he said. “But ... there’s nothing left for Jon to prove. I think he really wants this fight with Stipe. I think this fight will help solidify Jon’s status as a great heavyweight champion.”
“I’m approaching it as this is my last camp. So I’m giving it my all. And you know what? If we get one more after this? If we get two more? That would be a great blessing. But I’m also ready to see Jon hang ‘em up with the belt on. I’d prefer him to walk away earlier than later. And out of all the fighters, Jon deserved to to walk away anytime he wants.”
“There’s never a perfect time to walk,” Gibson added. “Somebody will always say, ‘But you didn’t fight this guy.’ To me, it doesn’t matter. Whenever Jon’s ready, I’m right there with him. But yeah, I’m approaching this one like it’s our last go, our last rodeo.”
It wasn’t all signs indicating Jones would retire. Gibson suggested a fight with Francis Ngannou was interesting enough to keep Jon around, but as far as just defending against the next guy in line (aka Tom Aspinall)? Nah.
But as Dana White has noted, of course Jones would say that — what better way to get the UFC to pony up a truckload of money to ensure you get back in the cage?
