I talked to Jon Jones for this week’s SI.com column, in which he discusses what it was like growing up with two brothers who both now play defensive line at Syracuse (with the eldest headed soon to the NFL) and how he learned to strike by watching YouTube videos:
The gym I train at is a really small gym, a lot of wrestlers, so I didn’t have a striking coach until this last fight. I had to teach myself how to strike. I would study a lot of videos on YouTube, or go to different websites where I could watch old Pride fights. I just became obsessed with MMA and watched videos over and over again. I learned the moves and took them to practice and started using them. Before I knew it I was considered a pretty good striker.
YouTube videos can really teach you a lot. It depends how you search for them. If you look really hard, you can find videos of seminars from some of the best fighters in the world. It’s just a matter of taking them seriously. You have the Bas Rutten’s and the Anderson Silva DVD’s, but you can find most of that stuff on the internet for free, so that’s what I was doing. I was basically teaching myself with them. Now I can honestly say I’ve been taught by some of the best teachers in the world because I’ve watched some of the greatest seminars online.
Obviously, Jones is a freakish athlete who can simply do things other people can’t, such as watch YouTube videos and then beat up UFC veterans. But what struck me was his humility and obsession with improving as a fighter. Check this quote, for example, on what went through his mind after the UFC offered him the fight with Bonnar:
Originally when I got the offer to fight Stephan Bonnar I told my manager I’d think about it. I went online and watched a couple of his fights. I really focused on the fights that he lost, saw him at his weakest moments, and it inspired me to think that I could be better than him. I gave my manager a call back about three hours later and told him I’d take the fight.
I didn’t know what the UFC’s angle was. I didn’t know if they were trying to give Bonnar an easy fight back against a kid who had only been fighting for one year and has a bunch of holes in his game. Or, I thought maybe they were impressed with me after the Gusmao fight and maybe they wanted to see what I could really do. I just knew that if they were going to give me this opportunity I was going to take it and do my best with it. I dedicated my life to Stephan Bonnar. I knew how he moved. I knew his tendencies. I just became obsessed with him, and it paid off. The energy I put into preparing for him really showed, and it honestly surprised me how one-sided that fight was.
Jones also said he sees himself moving up to heavyweight eventually, though at just 21 years old he’s got time. If he gets with good trainers and stays as focused and determined as he is now, he’ll eventually be a champion in at least one weight class.
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Comments
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:33
FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:44
watch out for bones. dude's serious
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:46
second that.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:46
i would guess that the ufc was just planning to feed him to bonnar. but it definitely worked out for bones. i'm looking forward to seeing more of his throws and spinning elbows. very exciting fighter. oh yea, @ matt serra you're a fucking tool.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:47
This guy is gonna be a force to reckon with in another year or two.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:47
I love his passion for MMA. I remember the interview with Buffer the night before the fight how Buffer said he looked in his eyes during weigh ins and could see that he could not wait to get in the cage and show what he was capable of. I was not expecting all those judo moves from a wrestler. His timing and reaction is top notch. I also don't think he has a problem with conditioning, but rather some of the moves he executes drain too much energy, but doesn't really pay off in a fight (german suplex). I also hope Jon "Bones" Jones's bones are more durable than Corey Hills.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:49
Maybe if BJ watched GSP fight clips he would of realized greasing was good advantage.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:49
GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:50
Pretty savage for teaching himself off of YouTube footage and being being only 21. I didn't really like BONER anyways, I am glad his welcome back was spoiled.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:51
Prediction: In his next fight, Bones is gonna land 3 consecutive German Suplexes, pull off a Flying Headbutt from the top of the octagon, and then finally submit his opponent with The Crippler Crossface. Maybe.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:52
bones jones could be awesome....just gotta keep watchin his fights too see...but either way both of his fights have been exciting...so id like to see him headline a u.f.n in a couple months...give him matt hamill after matt wins his next fight
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:54
Black people are on the interwebs now?
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:59
The more I learn about this guy, the more I like him...
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:02
I am sure this guy will be sidelined soon when his shin bone does a suplex, a la Corey Hill
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:02
Oh yeah...War Internet Piracy!
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:10
"Obviously, Jones is a freakish athlete who can simply do things other people can’t, such as watch YouTube videos and then beat up UFC veterans." Umm.. wasnt Evan Tanner self tought too?
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:15
Why so many corey hill references. They are different fighters.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:26
I loved reading his interview after his first fight. He listed one of his heroes as Tony Jaa. He also said he learned a lot of moves from watching Tony and his movies.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:27
That is amazing to be able to do that. I myself sometimes watch Jacare's takedowns or some of Eddie Bravo's stuff on Youtube over and over again and I have been able to pull off those moves at my bjj school. But to be able to walk right into UFC after wrestling + youtube that is out of control...
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:27
They are Greco-Roman wrestling throws. Not Judo. Similiar though, just without the gi.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:28
Johnny Bones is the future, I'm genuinely excited to see how his career progresses.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 11:33
@Skidding He's not a judoka, he' a greco roman wrestler. Those throws were all greco roman style. Greco Roman seems to be the most efficient style of wrestling that translates to mma. Introduced to mainstream mma by Randy Couture.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 12:00
Man if he keeps going at this pace...he's going to be Nasty! I wish he moved to Brazil and started training with Anderson, could you freaking imagine the the crazy skills he would learn from the P4P King!?!?!
Fri, 02/06/09 - 12:00
Tuf Guy...your a faggot. shut up queer
Fri, 02/06/09 - 12:11
Didn't that spinning elbow hit the back of the head, though? Is that legal?
Fri, 02/06/09 - 12:25
?
Fri, 02/06/09 - 12:36
winklepicker Says: "Didn't that spinning elbow hit the back of the head, though? Is that legal?" Yup. I think it happened so fast, the ref, and everyone else, missed it. I know I did. From the main camera angle it looked like he clipped the side of Stephan's head. But when they showed the reverse angle behind Bonnar....wham, right on the back of his noggin'!
Fri, 02/06/09 - 12:38
Evan Tanner was also self-taught for most of his career, and he began as an absolute beast. He wrestled in high school, but he taught himself the jiu-jitsu and the striking, and is considered today to have been one of the first complete mixed martial artists. Self teaching really is a good way to give yourself a boost before joining a camp. You won't learn as well as if you were trained, but it's cheaper, and you learn better than if you had nothing, obviously. I'm a kid with no money for real training, but I've taught myself a lot through vids and whatnot. Of course I couldn't beat up on a UFC veteran, or even most local fighters, but I feel comfortable saying I could beat 95% of other untrained people. Good enough for me for now.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 12:51
John Jones is the fuckin' man. Welcome to my top 10 fav. fighters.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 12:56
@ iron helps us play - WTF is your problem
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:02
@ Matt Serra I think he was referring to your little blurt of racism.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:04
WTF - when was this....that wasn't me bro.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:05
Your post earlier with nothing but the "N" word. One of the Bens removed it.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:06
"I think he was referring to your little blurt of racism." Funny as hell, but it wasn't Matt Serra with the blurt of racism, it was "agentsmith"'s bitch ass.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:08
Look man, that wasn't me. Is some kid on here using my name or what?
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:11
I guess so. It was the 3rd of 4th post. I think that's what the Irish_Fella was seconding.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:11
No class man, that aint Matt Serra, you know.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:12
@ Darrin Ditto dog. I'm surprised more people posting here hasn't done something similiar. I trained in a couple different dojo's later on in my life, but before that I studied all different kinds of ways. I'm 38 so, I read a lot of books. Videos didn't come around til later. Anyway, this dudes got me excited to see his next fight!
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:13
Who cares anyway. What the hell is iron helps us play.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:14
Nah man, I meant no class for using a word like "n". Grow up, it's the world - deal with it.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:28
If you get caught with a spinning elbow standing up facing your opponent, no matter the point of contact, you deserve what you get. But yes, Bonnar could rightfully complain, but no one made a big deal about it because it didn't end the fight and Jones looked so much better than him anyway.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:29
It shows that he watched a lot of old Pride videos, I havn't seen too many good ol'fashioned German Suplex's since Pride was bought out.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:30
Forty Fourth!!!
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:34
@Derly They looked like Judo moves to me, because a lot of the takedowns he employed would be penalized in Greco, for example, using the feet to trip (3 takedowns, where he used his feet, u gotta catch it in slow motion)
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:40
@ shady serra - I do not approve of your iron message and don't give you permission to use my name. The Terror has spoken. For real.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 01:41
THE WORLD OF IRON
Fri, 02/06/09 - 02:08
Damn. You guys think I can watch youtube videos and become a UFC fighter? I think this is a tribute to the infancy of the sport and how much it has to grow. If someone can just walk in after watching some youtube videos and own a vet, it doesn't speak well for our fighters in there. Same for a professional wrestler coming in and owning. :(
Fri, 02/06/09 - 03:46
Someone get this boy a copy of "MMA for Dummies". Frank will have a belt on him in no time!
Fri, 02/06/09 - 04:10
or maybe if BJ watched how GSP was training really hard, then he would have realized how out-trained and outclassed he was. advantage goes to GSP for working harder.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 05:49
I was shocked the ref didn't call for a break in the action with the elbow to the back of the head. Was pretty, just not legal. The other thing that surprised me was the kneeing of a downed opponent (Bonnar) that wasn't called either. The ring rust was evident with Bonnar, and I'd love to see a rematch down the road.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 06:25
I love him... hes the kind of guy that really goes to the death...
Fri, 02/06/09 - 07:33
This guy is for real and will only get better.
Fri, 02/06/09 - 10:28
Who is Jon Jones? Fuck, my head still hurts!
Sat, 02/07/09 - 12:18
He's kind of like Kimbo Slice, if Kimbo knew how to fight.
Sat, 02/07/09 - 10:43
Holy shit! Keyboard warriors CAN kick ass!
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