How Good Will Jon Jones Be?

Jon Jones is an amazing athlete with tremendous potential.  Groundbreaking statement, I know.  However, one major downfall for great athletes is their athleticism.  Their athletic ability is enough for them to get by or even succeed to a certain degree at many top levels.  Since their athleticism can grant them some level of success they can become lazy and complacent in learning the finer details of their trade.  Their natural ability will only take them so far and they will eventually hit a ceiling if they do not fully commit themselves to their sport.  Their opponents at the top of the mountain posses the same natural ability and these pure athletes will need more than their athleticism to beat the best.

For example, I am a 6'0, 175 pound power forward, at least I was in high school and on my intramural hoops team.  Hey it was league A at the University of Illinois, I count it.  Growing up whether it be high school, traveling, or tournaments I always matched up against other team's 4s.  I could easily out rebound and score against players half a foot taller and 40 pound heavier than me.  They were lazy, did not box out, and did not work for anything.  I could make a higher level athlete look like an amateur.  However, if I was matched up against a better athlete (not a difficult task) who took to the game I might as well have put my thumb up my butt and put a for sale sign on my forehead because I was about to get owned.  A great athlete who puts in the work and continues to test himself can reach unreal heights. 

Jon Jones has recently upgraded the talent level of his training partners and coaches by heading out west to do some work at Greg Jackson's camp.  Jones spoke with sportingnews.com about the experience and it appears as if the work was an eye opener for him.  If Jones follows through with the trend of his comments he might be one of those rare individuals who matches their pure ability with a dedication to the game.  If all comes to fruition and Jones makes the trips to New Mexico a little more consistently we may be seeing the future of the division.  The UFC is also taking their time with Jones as well, who lacks a marquee victory.  This is excellent for him as it gives him time develop his game and become a complete fighter.  A few of Jones's comments after the jump.

CD: Tell me a little bit about what it's like down there. What are you learning?

JJ:  Well, they’re attacking my main weaknesses. Greg is big on getting his athletes to close up their gaps. My jiu-jitsu has to be my weakest department so he's trying to close that hole up. I've been doing a lot of wrestling and a lot of jiu-jitsu.

CD: I know you've been to the Tri-Star Gym (in Montreal) for this fight as well. What's the experience like for you now to be able to go train with some of these world-renowned camps?

JJ: It's amazing. It's just a total reality check on how not good I actually am. You know what I mean? I go from a school (in New York) where I beat up everyone, and now I get tapped out and guys try to kick my head off. It's an everyday thing. It's just a big reality check in how much work I actually have to do still.

CD: I was going to ask you about your mindset. You've been so successful so fast and you're only 22 years old. What do you have to do to keep yourself grounded and focused?

JJ: Moving to Greg Jackson's and getting beat up everyday? That definitely helps.