Craig Jones has built a reputation as one of grappling’s most outspoken personalities – and he never shied from mocking Sambo.

But those comments have now traveled far enough to reach someone few in combat sports ever want to provoke…
Fedor Emelianenko.

The MMA legend isn’t just a former PRIDE heavyweight champion, but he’s also one of the most decorated Sambo competitors of all time, with four Combat Sambo world titles and seven Russian national championships.

In a recent interview, Emelianenko was asked about one of Sambo’s top modern representatives: Islam Makhachev.
After already dominating as UFC lightweight champion, Makhachev moved up to welterweight and captured a second belt, positioning himself among the greatest MMA fighters ever.

Emelianenko praised him not just for the victory, but for what it represents for Sambo on the global stage.
His response seemed aimed squarely at critics, intentional or not:

Islam’s base is sambo, so naturally he brings honor to Sambo. He said so in his interviews.

And I think he gave a good lesson to people who say bad things about Sambo.
Sambo has already proved that it’s one of the best styles for MMA.

Craig Jones has made a running joke out of poking fun at the discipline over the last few years.
And he worked as a coach and corner for Jack Della Maddalena – the fighter Makhachev beat to become a two-division UFC champion.

When Emelianenko was asked specifically about Jones’ comments:

Well, I think everything fell into place.

The man, I don’t know how to put it, probably should offer a deep apology, because his words did not hold up.

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