Craig Jones on Makhachev vs Volkanovski | Lex Fridman Podcast Clips

TL;DR

Craig Jones discusses his coaching role in helping Alexander Volkanovski prepare for his fight against Islam Makhachev, sharing insights on the fight and his training methods.

Transcript

who knew that the cure to the dagestani wrestling were the Aussies were the Aussies uh okay let's go there the uh your your friend your training partner Alexander volkanowski you helped him prepare for the Islam marketev versus volkanovsky fight who do you think first of all won that fight that's a tricky one how is that the tricky question I will ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😚 It was a close fight between Makhachev and Volkanovski, with the outcome being a source of debate due to the subjective nature of judging.
• 🫢 Volkanovski's gas tank and mental toughness make him a formidable fighter, while Makhachev's submission skills are more dominant against fatigued opponents.
• 🎮 Cage work in MMA is crucial, and Volkanovski's ability to control and get up from the cage played a significant role in the fight.
• 🧘 Jones emphasizes the importance of learning from wrestling techniques to effectively get up from the bottom position in MMA.
• 🧑‍🚒 The coaching role comes with pressure and responsibility, as keeping the fighter safe is as significant as winning the fight.
• 👊 Replicating Makhachev's strength and grappling style in training was challenging, but Jones focused on targeting specific submissions and chain attacks to prepare Volkanovski.
• 💅 Polishing and enhancing Volkanovski's existing skills were prioritized in the limited timeframe of the training camp.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who did Craig Jones help prepare for the fight against Islam Makhachev?

Craig Jones helped prepare Alexander Volkanovski for his fight against Islam Makhachev.

Q: Who does Jones think won the fight between Makhachev and Volkanovski?

Jones believed that Volkanovski needed a finish to win the fight, but acknowledges that judging in MMA can be subjective.

Q: What was the brief conversation between Jones and Makhachev after the fight?

Makhachev asked Jones why he didn't teach Volkanovski how to escape the body triangle. Jones responded with humor, highlighting the importance of finishing a rear-naked choke.

Q: How did Volkanovski's training partner, Craig Jones, tackle the wrestling aspect of preparing for the fight?

Jones, along with wrestling coach Frank Hickman, focused on problem-solving and utilized Volkanovski's cage work and defensive skills to neutralize Makhachev's wrestling.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Craig Jones helped Alexander Volkanovski prepare for his fight against Islam Makhachev and shares his thoughts on the fight outcome.

• Volkanovski's gas tank and mental toughness are what make him special as a fighter.

• Cage work is an important aspect of MMA, and Jones explains the dynamics and strategies to effectively use cage control.