Jon Jones: Son of a Preacher Man

Athletics have always been a family affair in the household of 20-year old mixed martial arts (MMA) newcomer Jon Jones. Just ask his older brother, Syracuse University All-American defensive tackle Arthur Jones, or his younger brother, Chandler, another full-scholarship Syracuse football player. As Jon explains it, competition was a value passed down from his father, Arthur Sr., who was a competitive wrestler in his day, but is now a preacher. But when Jon, who was a JUCO National Champion in wrestling his first year out, told his father that he was putting a hold on his wrestling career to make a move into mixed martial arts, Arthur Sr. was more than a little skeptical. “He thought the sport was too violent and that I was too nice of a guy to be part of it,” Jon stated on a recent episode of the New England Fights! podcast. “But I explained to him that it makes you a more confident and peaceful person, and he sees that.”

There’s been nothing “peaceful” about the way Jon Jones has stormed the Northeast MMA scene since making his debut less than a month ago. On April 12th in Boxborough, Massachusetts at Untamed 20, New England fans got their first taste of Jones when he quickly dismantled Bucket Brigade team member Brad Bennard. Jones finished the fight at the 1:32 mark of the first round when, after tossing Bennard, he pounded him out for the TKO victory.

One week after making his debut Jones stepped up again—on only three days notice nonetheless—to face Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and 3x Pan Am Champion Carlos Eduardo at Battle Cage Xtreme 4. Jones knocked Eduardo out. Less than one week later Jones was at it again when he submitted Anthony Pina via guillotine choke at 1:15 of Round 1. In less than three weeks Jon Jones had amassed a perfect 3-0 MMA record.

Jones first began training in mixed martial arts a little over six months ago when he was referred to Ryan Ciotoli, coach of Team Bombsquad, through a mutual friend. Ciotoli rounded out Jones’ adept wrestling game with jiu-jitsu and stand-up skills to transform him into a complete fighter. The transition to MMA from wrestling has been a very natural one for Jones, who obviously has an athletic heritage. “He’s going to be a superstar in the sport,” Ciotoli said.

“I’m a soldier; I show up to fight when I’m told and I try to win,” Jones said on the show. “As long as I don’t have any injuries I wouldn’t mind fighting every week against any opponent.”

He’s not exaggerating; Jones has three fights scheduled within the next six weeks. He’ll compete again on May 9th, May 31st, and June 20th. And if his fight against Eduardo is any indication, don’t be surprised if you see him step in on short notice during the few off-weeks when he doesn’t have a scrap scheduled. It’s all part of Jones’ plans to put other 205-pound fighters on notice and reach the pinnacles of the sport.

“My plan is to be dominant… I want to do devastating moves. Just doing what I do best; doing things that I do naturally… My dream is to learn as much as possible and experience a lot in the sport, win lots of title belts and just make my hometown and people proud. [I want to] work really hard and do the best that I can do.”

And whether a fan of the sport or not, that has to give Arthur Sr. plenty to preach about.

To listen to the complete interview for free visit www.newenglandfights.com.