UFC Quick Quote: Is 'Bones' Jones the next Georges St. Pierre?

by Jesse Holland on Aug 6, 2009 12:48 PM EDT

"We have Jon 'Bones' Jones training here at Zahabi MMA and Tri Star Gym, which is my MMA club. So now we have Georges, if he has to get ready for Anderson Silva, he's got a great partner in Jon Bones. He's got the tall, lanky body type, he has incredible Muay Thai; a tricky style of Muay Thai as well and he has the reach like Anderson Silva. I think he would be a very good training partner for Georges if that fight ever happens. Of course, we're going to be training with him whether that fight happens or not. I'm going to do my best to mold him. We're going to be working with Greg Jackson of course and the entire team that works with Georges St. Pierre will be working with Jon Jones. I expect a lot from this kid man. I trained with him this morning and I've trained with a lot of fighters; this kid is the real thing. I see a lot of St. Pierre in him!"

-- Firas Zahabi, head trainer of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, tells FightHype that the addition of Jon Jones to his camp will only help improve the 21-year-old's already amazing progress as well as prepare "Rush" for a possible superfight with middleweight deity Anderson Silva due to their similar body types. The national Junior College Champion out of Iowa Central Community College dropped out of school to pursue a career in mixed martial arts and said earlier this year that he didn't need a big name trainer to make it to the top. Perhaps he saw something in Firas -- or GSP -- that made him change his mind?

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I don’t think Bones needs a big name trainer to take him to the top either BUT It sure as hell won’t hurt. I’m a huge fan after the Bonnar fight and hope that he continues his progress and a great trainer like that will add a much needed mental aspect to his game.

by Jon on Aug 6, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Next year he’ll have a crack at kingpin(kingdragon) Machida.

by MikeD on Aug 6, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Bones has one of the best MMA nicknames to boot.

by Jerry Jackson is my hero on Aug 6, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Mike D. I hope he doesn’t fight Machida next year, the kids only 22yrs old and not even in his prime yet… I’d say 4-6 fights, depending on who he beats and how he beats them, no need to rush this. I didn’t know who Bones was when he fought Bonner but in the 2nd rnd I said this guy will be a champion at 205lbs 1 day!

by DAVE A on Aug 6, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

You’ve all read how i want this kid to be groomed so i’ll just leave after saying:

Jon Jones = The future.

by NameNotRequired on Aug 6, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree…I think Jones is raw with a lot of potential. A camp like TriStar and Jacksons camp will do wonders on refining his skills and helping him mold that potential and put him on a fast track. The guy used to study youtube fights for tips…now he’s got Firas and Greg to learn from…that’s a huge difference. I’m not saying this guy is the real deal yet until he faces some stiffer competition than O’Brien but he’s definitely setting himself up for a bright future by getting into a camp known for it’s solid stable of fighters and master game planners.

by Buster Bluth on Aug 6, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I was looking to bet on UFC 101 if u guys have any sure wins let me know

by Nor Cal Mexican (formely Philicutioner) on Aug 6, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

there is no sure wins in this sport mate

by boyer on Aug 6, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

well i know that for sure

by Nor Cal Mexican (formely Philicutioner) on Aug 6, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

For crying out loud, how many fights has this guy had inside the Octogon? Let’s not be crowning him just yet, he’s looks impressive, but he is still young and new to the UFC.

by The Buffalo on Aug 6, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

agreed, everybody is hyping anthony johnson the same way but the reality is neither of these guys have faced top ten competition and they are both inexperienced… hype trains normally run out of steam when they run into an experienced guy with a good skill set, we all saw how weak cain velasquez looked against “no ground game” kongo, he almost got knocked out at the beginning of each round

by brendan on Aug 6, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed brendan

by Lester The Pimp on Aug 6, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

weak? he beat him down, he hit him so many times he had to get a cat scan after the fight! weak? wow!

by Diss Guy on Aug 6, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

that fight said more about kongo doing absolutely nothing with his wrestling defense than it did cain.

by shamo84 on Aug 6, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Stephan Bonner is a picture of inexperience. Even though he was coming off an injury, he’s hardly what you call green to the sport.

Even Jones last fight wasn’t versus inexperience.

by damo on Aug 6, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea I think it’s a little early to be comparing Jones to GSP but you never know. IMO hind sight is always 20/20 and looking back on it now, is the win over Bonnar really that impressive considering Stephan went on to get beat up by Mark Coleman ??

by M1Globalcansuckmyballs(Formerly ODHGC) on Aug 6, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

At least Bones has gotten through the “gate”. And training with GSP and Jackson could make this guy a monster in the LHW division. I know O Brien isnt elite, but he is a top wrestler and has lay n prayed many guys to a victory. Bones finished him. Thats not bad for a start.

by Big D on Aug 6, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

No, not a bad start at all at his age.

by M1Globalcansuckmyballs(Formerly ODHGC) on Aug 6, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool. Should be beneficial for both fighters.

by Pat on Aug 6, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

Jones is good and only getting better but it’s a bit early to say he is the next GSP.

by Dr_D_Sanchez on Aug 6, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

Don’t you think out of all the people in the world GSP’s trainer would have just a little more insight of whether or not he’s the next GSP.

by Michael on Aug 6, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

This is all for not. Bones CAN’T be the next GSP, cause Dana already told us that Felipe Nover is the next GSP!! LMFAO!!!!!

A couple more impressive wins and Jones will be in the title mix. He just needs to keep his head, and take it one fight at a time.

by Cole on Aug 6, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

You know Jones and Jon Howard to me seem to have pretty much the same style and tools. What do you guys think of Jon Howard will do with his opponets in his next couple of fights?

by Michael on Aug 6, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Nover can’t be the next GSP. He’s too busy being the next Anderson Silva.

by Jeremyjackson on Aug 6, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s funny how AJ, John Howard, and Jon Jones are always talkid about in the same breath. I think it has a lot more to do with the fact they are all black than that they are similar fighters.

by Jeremyjackson on Aug 6, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Read this earlier on BE, good move for Jones.

by JRE = Вагина on Aug 6, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

awesome move for the kid but i wonder if he ever plans on fighting GSP? If there training together it might be like a Kos and Fitch thing.

by jaykiz on Aug 6, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

Considering Bones is a LHW, I don’t think that will be ever be a problem

by mburtoni on Aug 6, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

that’s gotta be one of the dumbest question ever.

by shamo84 on Aug 6, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

GSP is @ 170 and Jones at @ 205, come on!

I think it’s a good move for him to give him more discipline and technique.

by Mascarita on Aug 6, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Except that they’re in different weight classes and GSP will most likely never fight at 205.

by Jephrey on Aug 6, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

the sky’s the limit for this young guy still
but training with those guys wow

by ian on Aug 6, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

PROOF THAT THE UFC PRESSURES BJ PENN TO HYPE HIS FIGHTS.

GO TO BJPENN . COM VIDEOS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE

by *PrettyBoy* on Aug 6, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

on the right hand side there is a thing you fill out for a free whopper value meal!

by brendan on Aug 6, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Sweet! I love whoppers!!

by JRE = Вагина on Aug 6, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

And you know BJ eats Whoppers. That’s proof he doesn’t use roids.

by PW on Aug 6, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Unless those whoppers are laced with steroids

by M1Globalcansuckmyballs(Formerly ODHGC) on Aug 6, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

lol very true. Although I wonder if you are using roids would whoppers throw off your gains???

by JRE = Вагина on Aug 6, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Considering he is from HI, add some spam to that Whopper, braddah!

by OJR on Aug 6, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

besides the body type, i really dont see any similarities between jones and silva. infact they really couldnt be any different.

by COR on Aug 6, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

Well they are both black.

by JRE = Вагина on Aug 6, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

they are both tall and athletic giving similar advatages such as reach but both with different fighting styles.

by Puck Head on Aug 6, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Which explains exactly why he’s in shape but not ripped JRE.

by M1Globalcansuckmyballs(Formerly ODHGC) on Aug 6, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

this guy reminds me of roger huerta

young, new to the sport, had a couple fights, did some unusual moves that people have never seen before, people start calling him a new prodigy, goes to train with greg jackson and GSP, everybody suddenly thinks he’s the next GSP

now we just have to wait for his inevitable fall from premature grace, and he will fade away just as quickly as huerta did.

by byron on Aug 6, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

huerta is a scrapper, this guy has top wrestling that’s gonna carry him way up the ladder.

by shamo84 on Aug 6, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Second most overhyped overrated fighter after A Johnson.

Get a grip people.

by Lester The Pimp on Aug 6, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

will see…

by Jee on Aug 6, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Holy shit! Now Bone’s full potential will truly be unleashed. Excellent career choice on his part.

by Josh H. on Aug 6, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

This is only going to make Jones more dominating. Hopefully he gets in a good two months of training with these guys and then gets a shot at a big name 205er.

The only bad part is , if he stays with Jackons camp, he wont be able to fight Jardine/Evans. But I guess that is later on down the road.

by robbyc on Aug 6, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

It said he joined Tristar gym not Jacksons camp. He will work with all GSP’s trainers and Jackson will probably help game plan but not sure how the sparring will work out. If they are all going to train together things could get messed up. The only thing that could make this work is that the division is so deep that they could avoid having to fight for a while.

by NorthStar on Aug 6, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea right. Who has he fought? People make fun of Tito’s wrestling pedigree…Iowa Centra CC LMAO!! He ain’t shit.

by xxBAxx816 on Aug 6, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

You ain’t shit. The kid is 21. GSP never even wrestled in college — now he throws Hughes, Fitch and Koscheck around like they’re Philipino hookers that ran off with his wallet. Great athletes learn fast, especially when surrounded by other great athletes.

by Jeremyjackson on Aug 6, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

by Alpha Male on Aug 7, 2009 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions

bones vs the dragon will be fight of the year

by smokin dem tweeds on Aug 6, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

Rumble and bones deserve the hype. Don’t say he is next gsp yet tho. Far too early. Has potential to be amazing. But in my opinion no 1 is next gsp. He is the best ww ever, yes ever. Will bones be the best lhw ever? Dunno bout that not saying he can’t, but were far too early to say he will be.

However: go bones! Go rumble! Go GSP!

by Daniel worby on Aug 6, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

Dana is a lot smarter than that. He will not put Jones against some great competitors quite yet. Jones has everything to be a great marketing tool for the UFC, but he is only 22 & Dana will wait a little bit before putting him up against some true competition. Jones can be the next generation of fighters but not until he has about 2-3-4 years of winning & showing how good he is.

by neeko on Aug 7, 2009 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Bones is amazing but even if he ran through the whole LHW division I cant see him beating Rubik’s Cube, er sorry, Lyoto Machida within the next 5 years. I do believe that he’ll be a contender though, and MOST importantly, a very exciting fighter to watch.

by Oskarbravo on Aug 6, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Anthony jonson pussd out against matt the man of many ass beatings brown!! what a punk!!

by d*locc on Aug 6, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Bones looks good but is very young and has not yet been tested. Put him in the ring with a top 10 LHW like Rampage, Forrest or Franklin and lets see how he does… Not sure about a fight with the LHW Champ in a year but maybe he can see some of the top 10 LHW action in 2010.

by Xsjado on Aug 6, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry Firas but i really dont think it matters who u have training with GSP…Anderson will win that fight if it ever happens, Machida vs Anderson to determine the best

by cane85 on Aug 6, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

WTF does that have to do with Jones?

by neeko on Aug 7, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Love Bones, give him to Tito!!

by Preezy on Aug 6, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

no…

by RoBerto on Aug 6, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Training with Jackson will be great for him, especially if he fights either Jardine or Evans….?

by Tom on Aug 6, 2009 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

Give Bones a couple more quality 205’s and then have him fight A Silva…..

by sudnvictory on Aug 10, 2009 1:18 AM EDT reply actions

How about Jon Jones vs Ryan Bader? Both are fairly similiar. They’re both young and undefeated. Both have decorated wrestling backgrounds. Both have some decent striking. Unless White is looking to develop both of them in parallel to set up a bigger fight down the road, I think that a Bader vs Jones fight would make a lot of sense right now.

by akryan on Aug 10, 2009 7:07 AM EDT reply actions