Jon 'Bones' Jones: It's not who you know, it's how hard you work

by Jesse Holland on Feb 19, 2009 11:22 AM EST

I kind of had the impression they gave Stephan (Bonnar) the fight against me to give him a good comeback fight, fighting a guy who's inexperienced. I didn't want to be anyone's stepping stone so I decided to reach out and grab this opportunity and make Stephan Bonnar my stepping stone ... I knew beating Stephan would be gigantic for me. I believe you really don't need the biggest name coaches to be successful in your career. I'm out here in a little small town in upstate New York, there is no one on my coaching staff you've ever heard of, but we know how to work hard and we know how to push ourselves. We proved it. You don't need the big names to be successful.

Electrifying light heavyweight prospect Jon Jones talks to host Larry Pepe on MMAmania.com’s exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio regarding his impressive win over Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94 "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2" on January 31. The national Junior College Champion out of Iowa Central Community College dropped out of school to pursue a career in mixed martial arts and is dispelling the myth that you have to align yourself with one of the big name training camps in order to be successful in MMA. It's hard to argue with a guy who continues to consistently perform at his level at just 21 years of age.

For the audio replay of Jones' appearance click here.

Tweet Comment 67 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

He is right… and that’s a sweet pic for this post.

by ShitleTot.com on Feb 19, 2009 11:25 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, you definately don’t need big name coaches. Heck all the big name coaches were no name coaches until someone from their camp did something great then they got noticed.

I do think though the big camps have an advantage in training when it comes to sparring because big camps have top fighters to throw at you and smaller camps run the risk of their main guy training with guys who are not good enough to bring out their full potential. I mean if you are in New York training with Vinnie, Tony, Bobby and Mike, or at a camp like Wolfslair training with Rampage, Kongo, Bisping, There is definately a difference.

by getrawbc on Feb 19, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

Yep. I think it’s all about the training partners. If they’re not pushing you in the gym then you’re not getting better.

by RobH86 on Feb 19, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

This only applies to very talented fighters. Hard work is good to supplement his already vast natural talent and athletic gifts. Jones already possesses a lot of creativity, ring generalship and fight instincts that for most fighters can only come through experience.

by NameNotRequired on Feb 19, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

i was hopeing him and frankilin fought but rich/w.silva looks better. griffin is hurt :( i say throw matt hamill or t.silva at him so he can move up.

by Mikeybear2009 on Feb 20, 2009 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Hamill would be a good exhibition because he’s so well known by the casual fan. That would be fun to see because Jones would whup up on him!

by Machine on Feb 20, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

Jones vs Thomasz Drwal would be crazy too. A firm test for Jones if you ask me. I’m a hair away from being a full blown Jones fan and I think almost as highly of Drwal too. I see either of these guys as becoming top 10 within the next year or so.

Wasn’t he rumored to be fighting Vera? I coulda sworn someone posted that in a previous thread.

I say they put him against 2-3 more popular Mid Tier 205’ers before matching him with big dogs like Franklin and such.

by Machine on Feb 20, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

Looks like he’s got a good head on his shoulders and the right mentality to take him somewhere.

by Open24hrz on Feb 19, 2009 11:27 AM EST reply actions

yeah, I really like this kid! Good head, young age, unique skill set = TOns of potential!

by john on Feb 19, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Why would he slow down?

by JOHN is young.. he just wants to be cool on Feb 19, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

I’m guessing that name is a troll job by JeremyJackson.. I don’t speak troll, so it makes sense that I can’t understand half of his posts.

by O damn he got caught on Feb 19, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions

Pay him nO mInd Odamn! He isnt my 1st fan, and he wont be my last!

by john on Feb 19, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

OMG what a c*cky pr*ck you are John aka Miss Cleo! I saw what a D*ck you were about my post earlier and you obviously have no sense of humor. Not your first fan! wow get over yourself…

by JRE on Feb 19, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

I am not cocky at all! YOu dont understand…I have been around for a while. I take shots from trolls on this site on a daily basis. sometimes its hard to differentiate the jokes, from the trolls. Appologize if you were just messing with me.

I hate the confrontations that accompany this site. I dont talk trash to people, I just debate their oppinions, which is EXACTLY what this site is for….Yet, I have to take cheap shots on a daily basis….sometimes it gets annoying!

Do you deal with people purposely changing their names pretending to be you? I do, on a Daily basis….I usually ignore it!

Sorry if I misunderstood you. I apologize.

FYI….you can ask mr Jesse HOlland himslef…. I was John-stradamus on this site way before he decided to become Nastradumbass!

by john on Feb 19, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

drama

by DB on Feb 19, 2009 8:45 PM EST up reply actions

I love this kid in and out of the ring. Just listening to his post fight interviews after the Bonnar fight made me a fan. Can’t wait for his next fight. I would like to see him take a step up from Bonnar, but who? Even a loss at this point wouldn’t THAT bad.

by BNF on Feb 19, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

forest

by McArthur on Feb 19, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

I think Forrest deserves a bigger name after just losing the title. I was thinking maybe a guy like Bader, Cantwell or maybe Thiago Silva?

by BNF on Feb 19, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

maybe Thiago Silva, Brandon Vera if he wins at 96, or he could be a bit of a test for Forrest when he comes back form injury

by ---Caesar--- on Feb 19, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

forest does deserve a bigger name I agree…maybe Jones/Thiago would be the best choice for the UFC…hate to see someone lose in that though

by McArthur on Feb 19, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

BNF, if Forest gets Bader or Cantwell I will cry foul…should be no “easy” fights for formr champs…I do agree that Jones/Forest prob isn’t a good idea but maybe Jones/Vera or Jones/Thiago…too bad Jardine is fighting Page cause I think Jones/Jardine would be ideal for the UFC right now….if Jones wins they can officially rule out Jardine from contention and if Jones loses then he just lost to a guy with more experience

by McArthur on Feb 19, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

McArthur, those names I suggested were for Jones, not Forrest. Forrest needs to fight a big dog, like Chuck if he wins, or Machida if he doesn’t want to wait for his title shot.

by BNF on Feb 19, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

I agree BNF 100% I would love to see Forrest vs Chuck or Machida

by ---Caesar--- on Feb 19, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

I thought Forrest will be out for most of 2009 because of an injury?

by ProKev on Feb 20, 2009 3:22 AM EST up reply actions

I agree with BNF. Jones should fight someone of the caliber of Stann, Cantwell, Bader, Silva, etc… I would like a match-up especially against Steve Cantwell. That would be a very exciting fight.

by Fugitive on Feb 20, 2009 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

i was amazed by some of his moves, this guy is sick

id like to see him fight machida, shogun, forrest, even rampage

by phenomenal angel on Feb 19, 2009 11:29 AM EST reply actions

slow down there Killa!

by john on Feb 19, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

He kind of the Anthony Johnson of 205r’s today. He has a ship load worth of potential.. I’m fan of his.. I like how he carries himself.. in and out of the Octagon.

by PhilQNY on Feb 19, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

WOP!!!

by JOHN is young.. he just wants to be cool on Feb 19, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

i gotta agree with you on this guy but i think the best fight for him right now could be that dude who arm triangled houston not long ago i know he just won another fight would be a good test of this dudes ground game

by randy murders on Feb 19, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Your talking about Eric Schafer..IMO.. after he just tooled with Bonnar ( granted it was his first fight back from surgery )… but Bonner TKO’d Schafer.. so that would be a drop down for him as a fight match up. Maybe Antonio Mendes?? or Banha.

by PhilQNY on Feb 19, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

MATT hAMMIL!

by john on Feb 19, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

He does have a point there… it would be a good fight between him and Machida. Interesting. An elusive fighter against a guy who throws no look elbows and spinning backfists and has an amazing wrestling background… too early but this could have potential down the road. I like bones

by Sp00ner1234 on Feb 19, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

yeah you do, if you want to KEEP evolving as a fighter…

but most of all, you need great, not good, and different sparringpartners in order to make it all the way. To take your abilities to the next level!

by Choke_Him on Feb 19, 2009 11:30 AM EST reply actions

I’d like to see him against Tiago Silva next

by Leeroy on Feb 19, 2009 11:33 AM EST reply actions

that would be a sweet fite

by bobby oshea on Feb 19, 2009 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

the guy is long and hard to close to without taken some shots and then when you get too close you get a knee or elbow from hell or thrown. i love this guy’s style. i wonder if he’s gotta ground game.

by Chris on Feb 19, 2009 11:40 AM EST reply actions

he has a wrestling background

by Buttcrack Obama bin Laden on Feb 19, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions

come on bonnar is amongst top of food chain rather than the middle
losing to rashad forrest and machida
thiago would be good next
but regardless
anyone else jones fights would be step down, no?

by phenomenal angel on Feb 19, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions

Overrated and overhyped, just like A Johnson. Nuff said.

by Lester the Pimp on Feb 19, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions

how do u figure. he just beat a guy who’s fought griffin, machedia and evans. not to metion bonnar has beaten jardine, irvine and other talented fighters. time will tell but he seems to be goin in the rite direction.

by bobby oshea on Feb 19, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

Why do you have such an issue with up-and-coming fighters? No one is saying they should be given a title shot yet, but they’re young with great skills and a ton of potential. Why do you have such a problem with people getting excited about these young guys who could be future champions down the road. All of your BS hype comments make you sound like a crotchety old man who’s scared of change.

by GregC on Feb 19, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Turn on Matlock and get off the lawn.

by PW on Feb 19, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

BURN!!!!!!

by john on Feb 19, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

John, you’re a tool.

by Johnny Farnham on Feb 19, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

thanks for your valuable contribution to the site! come again!

by john on Feb 19, 2009 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

He looked real good for awhile but Jones definitely gassed in that fight. Conditioning might have been an issue if he were fighting someone else. HE WAS TIRED AFTER THE FIRST ROUND!!!

by the spyder on Feb 19, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions

He was tired, but he didn’t gas. Everyone gets tired, there is nothing wrong with that. He wasn’t too tired to put a hurting on Bonnar all 3 rounds!

by ---Caesar--- on Feb 19, 2009 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

What happened to Forrest did he fall off planet?

by PIMP on Feb 19, 2009 12:09 PM EST reply actions

broke his hand and is out for 6 months for something like that

by ian on Feb 19, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

good riddance. an average fighter who just has great conditioning. Striking is ok but has NO knockout power, ground game is average or a little better. Don’t really see him schooling anyone on the ground or on the feet at the elite level. Personally I feel he got lucky against a poorly conditioned shogun, and a rampage that didnt train properly for him.

by bobby oshea on Feb 19, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Shogun was not in shape for his fight with Forest, but Rampage just got beat. I know a lot of the Forest haters like to make excuses, but there was nothing lucky about that win. He executed a great gameplan and beat a great fighter. Maybe not a dominating win, but win nonetheless.

by GregC on Feb 19, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

agreed, his leg kicks and ground game were great. but in reality rampage didnt show up. he completely overlooked forrest and didnt train for that fite. he even admitted that during the tuf tapings he was up to like 240 lbs. if u watched the prefite stuff he acted like it was gonna be a cake walk. props to forrest for taking advantage of it, but rampage cost himself that fite more than anything.

by bobby oshea on Feb 19, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

Hell yeah John tell them how it is up hear in 607 we dont need anybody but ourselfs and our will to make it to the top

by Shadow side on Feb 19, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions

“We proved it” I dont think so! i think you’ll find Fedor proved it

by Insain on Feb 19, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions

Very good. Fedor is the ultimate example.

by RobH86 on Feb 19, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

I stood up and applauded. Big names and camps.. whatever, its how hard you train physically and mentally. Just ask Hulk Hogan.

by Vince McMahon on Feb 19, 2009 12:39 PM EST reply actions

Jones was gassed completely in rd 3.
he will be in Vegas at Coutures AFTER HE LOSES HIS FIRST FIGHT TO A TOP FIGHTER.

but i do love this guy.

by Badguy on Feb 19, 2009 1:04 PM EST reply actions

Jon looked great, but I’m not sure training hard in some town out in hicksville is going to do it against the elite in the division. He gassed in the later rounds I thought. Though Bonnar is a good win, I don’t want to take that away from him.

I’m just saying that if you’re easily the best guy at your gym, sooner or later is going to show.

by Razzel on Feb 19, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply actions

I thought it was “It’s not who you know, it’s what you grow.”

by FukStyck on Feb 19, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions

haha…too true fuk!! Too true.

by McArthur on Feb 19, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

after the bonnar fight i was amped about this guy. but when i looked at his first fight i felt differently. he was very sloppy in his fight against gusmao and he completely gassed in both fights. he has a ton of potential built on natural talent. But to hear him boast about his camp with such confidence after two outings with bad conditioning isnt good. sooner or later he is going to need to spar with the better guys that are going to push him.

by COR on Feb 19, 2009 3:01 PM EST reply actions

Hey, this kid has style, and after 4-6 more fights, he’ll be ready for a big title shot.

I grew up in the 607, and having been back recently, you better be tough, “aint” the same nice little area I grew up in 25 or so years ago.

great young fighter, wish him well.

by The Slovak on Feb 19, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions

no offense, but it’s not like he beat rampage, rashad or machida. Bonner is a mid-level talent. if everything is equal between two guys as far as skill and talent level, wouldn’t it only stand to reason that the guy with more knowledge and a stronger camp has an advantage?

by jaileer on Feb 19, 2009 6:00 PM EST reply actions

Yeah like your awesome comment “Burn” was such a great contribution to the site. I cant believe that you smoke weed and can still be such a turd sandwich in a paper bag on a hot day John. When are you going to grow up? Your like a child, “Burn” I mean what kind of Sh*t is that?

by "burn" = elementary insult on Feb 20, 2009 12:25 AM EST reply actions

This division is wicked!! Give this guy another year(3 to 4fights) and we will see him in the top five for years to come? He should fight Alexander or someone around that calibure next? by year end chuck or Sho Gun. hopefully he doesn’t jump up too much confidence really sets a fighter back in their progression and there’s no need to take a chance with his age. No matter what way you cut it this division is scary. Rampage, Evan’s, Machida, Chuck, Sho Gun(has done nothing since entering UFC but we know he has talent?), Jardine, Forrest, Bader might be up and coming? then you have guy’s like Franklin, Hendo, WSilva and even ASilva fighting at LHW at times. With the guys I just mentioned you can make one kick ass card!

by Beaver on Feb 20, 2009 1:39 AM EST reply actions