During his visit to the Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym in Phuket, Thailand, MMA superstar Jon ‘Bones’ Jones held an impromptu seminar where he shared some of his favorite takedown techniques. Here are the key takeaways from his session:
- Single Leg Takedown on Heavyweights: Jones finds this technique particularly effective against heavier opponents. He explained, “When I do this move on heavyweights, I pull their leg out from underneath them so quickly… I’ll be here fighting, I’ll go like that and I’ll pull him so far, pull him backward.” This move, he notes, tends to work better on heavyweights due to their generally lower athleticism compared to lighter weight fighters.
- Daniel Cormier’s High Crotch Technique: Jones also demonstrated a high crotch takedown, a favorite of Daniel Cormier. “He’ll come with an overhand right, and as soon as you bring your hand up to block, he’s coming with a high crotch with his left arm,” Jones described. This technique involves a transition from an overhand right directly into a high crotch position.
- Mixed Direction Double Leg Takedown: Highlighting a move he used against Chael Sonnen and Alexander Gustafsson, Jones detailed a mixed-direction double leg takedown. He starts with his head on the inside against a southpaw fighter and then switches direction at the last moment, bringing his head around the outside for the takedown.
- Snatch Single Leg Takedown: Lastly, Jones showed a snatch single leg takedown. He stated, “I’m here with the coach, I grab, go mix direction right here like this.”
These techniques showcase Jon Jones’ versatility and adaptability in the octagon, underlining why he is considered one of the greatest in MMA. His seminar provided valuable insights into effective takedown strategies, particularly emphasizing the importance of tailoring techniques to suit the opponent’s size and fighting style.
