Modestas Bukauskas can’t put a worth on the time he spent coaching with Jon Jones.
Stepping again contained in the Octagon this Saturday evening for the UFC’s extremely anticipated return to the UK, ‘The Baltic Gladiator’ will sq. off with Polish standout Marcin Prachnio. Bukauskas will probably be trying to climb again into the win column after seeing his four-fight win streak snapped by the palms of Vitor Petrino in November.
Earlier than kicking off the festivities at Co-op Stay in Manchester, Bukauskas spoke with Calf Kick Sports activities about his intensive expertise coaching with the consensus GOAT of blended martial arts.
“Daily for like 10 weeks, rounds and rounds and rounds,” Bukauskas mentioned. “After I was 22, I used to be 4-0 as a professional and I had a sponsor on the time so I went to Albuquerque and the primary time, I received to coach with Andrei Arlovski and the second time I got here round, Jon Jones was there. He had heard from the managers there that I’m a very good striker and he ought to do some rounds with [me].
“He’s a very cool man. We ended up doing a load of rounds collectively. Actually each day with did jiu-jitsu rounds, wrestling, and MMA. It was superb that I used to be in a position to get that chance to coach and witness the best of all time. He actually is a pleasant man. He was very useful and really welcoming as effectively. It was good to get these rounds in and it gave me the boldness in myself that I’m coaching with the most effective on the planet. It was undoubtedly an indication of issues to come back sooner or later.”
Having dominated the sunshine heavyweight division for greater than a decade, Jon Jones made the transfer to heavyweight after a three-year-long layoff and shortly dispatched the top-ranked contender, Ciryl Gane, at UFC 285 to take residence the vacant heavyweight crown.
“When you’re gonna get crushed up by somebody, it’d as effectively be the best of all time,” Bukauskas added. “We had some good rounds.”
Modestas Bukauskas shocked by how robust Jon Jones’ wrestling actually is
Although Jones is understood greatest for his world-class putting expertise, Bukauskas was shocked to search out out simply how good ‘Bones’ is on the mat, noting that when the undisputed heavyweight champion will get his palms on you, it’s laborious as hell to interrupt free.
“His wrestling is subsequent degree. I knew it was good, however I didn’t understand how good it was. He’s very robust in these positions. If he will get a grip on you, it’s laborious to get out. There’s various kinds of energy and he’s undoubtedly received that wrestling energy for certain.”
Jones Jones has not competed since his two-minute submission victory over Gane in Could 2023. Initially, he was set to defend the heavyweight title in opposition to two-time champion Stipe Miocic late final 12 months, however a torn pectoral muscle compelled him to bow out of the bout.
No official bulletins have been made, however all indicators level towards Jones vs. Miocic lastly happening at UFC 309 on November 9 when the promotion makes its annual pit spot in Madison Sq. Backyard.
