Jon
Jones won’t return to Jackson-Wink MMA
after being banned from the Albuquerque, N.M.-based camp last
month.
Jones revealed that he will seek a new training home in a series of
posts on Twitter, though that new destination is currently unclear.
The former light heavyweight champion was suspended from the
Jackson-Wink gym by Mike Winkeljohn following his
arrest for battery domestic violence in Las Vegas this past
September. Winkeljohn indicated that Jones could return if he quit
drinking, but an eventual reunion doesn’t appear to be an option
for the fighter, who hasn’t competed in the Octagon since February
2020.
“Definitely won’t be going back but I will continue to root for all
the fighters that are training there,” Jones wrote. “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 it’s time.
“I know I won’t be able to train in my garage forever, eventually
I’m going to need more training partners,” he added. “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.”
In respond to a comment that he “carried the team,” Jones remained
diplomatic but admitted that Jackson-Wink might not be at the level
that it was in the past.
“I don’t feel like I carried the team, we have lots of guys doing
amazing things out of that gym,” Jones wrote. “I will admit the
program isn’t at the level it used to be, and hasn’t been for a
while now.”
It’s still unclear how the UFC will address Jones’ latest legal
troubles. Jones is presumably working toward a heavyweight debut
but has not come to terms with the promotion for that transition.
UFC president Dana White didn’t offer much insight regarding Jones’
status at the UFC 268 press conference on Saturday night.
“He’s not fighting until next year so I’m not even thinking about
that yet,” White said. “He said next year.”
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