One of the world’s most successful Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes, Craig Jones, is revolutionizing the role of a grappling coach in mixed martial arts. The Australian BJJ black belt, who is well-known for his viral submission finishes and ADCC medals, has rapidly established himself as a reliable partner for top UFC competitors like Alexander Volkanovski and Jack Della Maddalena. The need for experts like Craig Jones has increased dramatically as mixed martial arts develops into a more comprehensive and complex sport.
Craig Jones and Jack Della Maddalena: Grappling at the Next Level
A rising star in the UFC’s welterweight class, the newly crowned champion, Jack Della Maddalena is well-known for his strong striking. However, Maddalena brought Craig Jones into his camp in order to prepare for his fight against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, and we all saw that it worked out well. Jones claims that Maddalena has quickly acquired advanced grappling instincts. During a training session, Maddalena even submitted Jones with a D’Arce choke, momentarily putting the BJJ phenomenon to sleep.
Later, Craig Jones acknowledged, “I steal moves off him,” while praising Maddalena’s grappling. His remarks demonstrate Maddalena’s growth as a complete MMA competitor. Maddalena’s submission game is now a threat rather than a weakness under Jones’s guidance.
Craig Jones and Alexander Volkanovski: Building Championship-Level Defense
Additionally, Craig Jones has been essential to Alexander Volkanovski’s success as the UFC Featherweight Champion. Jones has assisted Volkanovski in honing his grappling defence since joining his squad in 2021, especially in crucial fights against submission experts like Islam Makhachev and Brian Ortega.
Volkanovski stunned the MMA community by surviving and even reversing multiple grappling exchanges with Makhachev, a formidable sambo specialist, during their first encounter at UFC 284. Craig Jones cited Volkanovski’s strategic preparation in addition to praising their cardio and grit. According to Jones, Volkanovski uses brief, timed rounds that mimic actual fight situations to train with a special intensity. Jones has since incorporated these tactics into his own coaching approach.
Jones, a former BJJ competitor, has become one of the most successful MMA grappling coaches of our time thanks to this technique.
Watch “Alexander Volkanovski Trains with BJJ ELITE Craig Jones for UFC 290” Below!
The Craig Jones Coaching Philosophy
Jones is not only a skilled competitor but also a perceptive and flexible coach. He combines technical proficiency with a laid-back, efficient communication style in his role as an instructor. His ability to customise grappling systems to meet the needs of individual athletes is demonstrated by his work with fighters in a variety of UFC divisions.
“When you’ve got someone of his pedigree in a corner, you can only improve and get better,” said Joe Lopez, Volkanovski’s head coach, in praise of Craig Jones’ thorough explanations and practical training. Jones’s standing as a top UFC grappling coach is cemented by this type of endorsement.
Jones’s coaching has also been seen on The Ultimate Fighter, where his presence added levity and technical nuance to the frequently demanding training setting.
Craig Jones Is Leading a New Era of MMA Grappling
Experts like Craig Jones are becoming increasingly important as MMA develops. Jones’s impact is felt throughout the UFC, whether it’s assisting Jack Della Maddalena in improving his submissions or guaranteeing that Alexander Volkanovski can defeat elite grapplers.
Craig Jones is arguably the most valuable grappling coach in MMA today because of his extensive technical knowledge, capacity to explain difficult ideas, and background competing at the highest levels of submission grappling.
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