There’s the saying, “you can’t go home again”. Maybe someday we’ll see if that’s true or not for one of the GOATS of MMA. After being asked by long time coach and friend, Michael Winkeljohn to stay away from his long time home, JW; Jon Jones has made a decision. He will not be returning to the establishment that helped hone his skills to a superstardom level. So now Bones needs a new home.
The request from Winkeljohn came on the heels of another alleged domestic violence situation and his longtime management team (Malki and Abe Kawa) parting ways with him. The 34-year old who consistently plays Russian Roulette with trouble made the announcement on his favorite place. Social media.
I don’t feel like I carried the team, we have lots of guys doing amazing things out of that gym. I will admit the program isn’t at the level it used to be, and hasn’t been for a while now https://t.co/hs8rAEgWz5
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 7, 2021
definitely won’t be going back but I will continue to root for all the fighters that are training there. I do believe my training methods and sessions have improved significantly since changing environments. Grateful for all the time I got to spend there, everything has its time
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 7, 2021
I know I won’t be able to train in my garage forever, eventually I’m going to need more training partners. Mainly wrestling partners and kickboxers. I’m on the lookout for teams that I’ll be able to visit and come train with, maybe get some sparring sessions in.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 7, 2021
Bones Needs New Home; Where Does He Go?
While it’s nice to flip to the back of a sports card to see just one team for an athletes entire career, sometimes that’s just not possible. Jones’ accomplishments and downfalls are all legendary statuses.
But now as the former light heavyweight champion is making the move up to the land of the really big boys, it’s incredibly important for him to get this move correct. A large number of athletes enjoy going from team to team once in a while to get new perspectives on things. But now more than ever he doesn’t need more “yes men”. He needs tough love, with a brilliant mind too.
He leaves Jackson-Wink on a four-fight win streak, the last three by decision. And arguably not all “wins”. The 205ers have definitely caught up with him. Not so much offensively, but defensively are reading him and reacting better. At heavyweight, even extremely bulked up, he’ll have a speed and athletic advantage over the majority.
It’s hard to tell if he’d be a good fit in another large place like an ATT, or a small group like with Mark Henry. Because well… come hell or high water, Jon’s gonna do, what Jon’s gonna do. Here’s just a look at some possible landing spots for him.
The Breakdowns:
XTREME COUTURE: Under the watchful eyes of Ray Sefo, Randy Couture, and Dewey Cooper might be the thing that gets him in line away from the cage, and makes him even more dangerous inside. However, the likelihood of him becoming teammates with Francis Ngannou is slim to none.
TREVOR WITTMAN: Arguably one of the hottest coaches right now, and works one-on-one with his talent. Wittman’s eye for breaking down opponents is second to none. Along with getting his clients to become better than they’ve ever been. Which in Jones’ case would be scary. And it might very well be a good fit.
ATT: A large power team, with loads of talent. Mike Brown, Dan Lambert and the rest could absolutely expand his offense.
SANFORD MMA: Henri Hooft, like Wittman has a keen eye. And there’s no doubt whatsoever that he’d be able to pull something new out of “Bones”.
AKA: This is the most intriguing landing spot. Home to bitter life long rival and enemy, Daniel Cormier, it might be the best place for him out of all locations. Not since Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed teaming up has something like this happened. And maybe after all the visceral hatred, they can provide the biggest heart. Between Jones’ power, and kicking games, if the wrestling heavy AKA improved his abilities there, who knows how far he’d go at heavyweight.
No matter where he goes, this may be his last shot to get things right. And with him getting physically larger, we should hear a decision much sooner rather than later. But; keep an eagle’s eye on the ones listed above for Bones new home.
