Jon Jones' corner reportedly to have a special addition for UFC 309 title fightÂ
Jon Jones is set to make his debut appearance at the Mecca of combat sports, Madison Square Garden, when he faces Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. The pair are scheduled to do battle for the heavyweight title on Nov. 16 in a long-awaited clash of two all-time greats.
According to recent reports, 'Bones' will be joined in the corner for the first time by Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon Gordon Ryan, who has been part of the last two training camps that Jones has held.
Ryan is widely considered the greatest no-gi submission grappler of all time. He will make his debut as a cornerman in the UFC when he walks with the heavyweight champion.
The news was confirmed by combat sports publication @MMAUncensored__ on Instagram, who tagged Ryan in the post and wrote this:
"Gordon Ryan to corner Jon Jones at UFC 309."
Check out the post below:
With the inclusion of Ryan as part of Jones' previous two training camps, both in preparation for Miocic, it appears grappling could be an integral part of the heavyweight champion's gameplan.
Having submitted striking specialist Ciryl Gane in his divisional debut at UFC 285, the New York native may be eager for a repeat performance in front of home fans.
Gordon Ryan shares what impressed him most about Jon Jones
Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic were scheduled to clash at UFC 295 for the heavyweight title. But disaster struck for 'Bones' several weeks before fight night as he suffered a torn pectoral tendon, which left him sidelined for a year.
Gordon Ryan was part of Jones' training camp ahead of his original clash with Miocic in 2023, and the BJJ athlete once again joined the 38-year-old ahead of his upcoming clash at UFC 309 on Nov. 16.
Having spent much time with the heavyweight champion, Ryan recently shared what impressed him most about training with the New York native.
During the UFC's 'Countdown' episode as part of the build-up for UFC 309, 'The King' said this:
"Jon's fight IQ is just so much higher than anybody elses currently fighting. The thing that impresses me most about him as an athlete is his ability to pick up moves and translate the moves into different areas of the sport. I'd give him an idea to run with and then by the end of the session he has a whole system and a whole series of movements. The tools that he possesses are just going to be too much for Stipe to handle."
Check out Gordon Ryan discussing Jon Jones below (26:00):