Craig Jones believes Alexander Volkanovski will put an end to Sambo at UFC 294.
Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) is set for a rematch against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) on October 21 in Abu Dhabi, stepping in on short notice.
Jones, a highly decorated IBJJF world championship medalist and 2019 ADCC runner-up, has reservations about Sambo as a martial art and hopes Volkanovski can demonstrate its ineffectiveness by defeating Makhachev.
“It would make him a man who debunked Sambo, overshadowing his legacy in the sport because we’ve wasted another martial art,” Jones told Submission Radio. “Most martial arts were eliminated in 1993. Somehow, Sambo has survived until 2023. So if Volkanovski ends Sambo, we won’t have to hear about this Russian dance anymore.”
Jones faced criticism for claiming that Makhachev lacks good submission skills and believes their first fight showcased this. Although Makhachev had over seven minutes of control time on Volkanovski at UFC 284, he couldn’t submit him. Makhachev won the fight by unanimous decision.
“In the last fight, we focused a lot on submission defense,” Jones explained. “Clearly, it was a waste of time because, as we saw, Islam doesn’t know any submissions. He just holds onto the back for 20 minutes. This time, we’ll probably escape from the body triangle. There was no submission threat at all, so Volk was just relaxing, regaining energy, and punching him in the head. We’ll get out of that position this time.”
Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, famously wore a T-shirt that said, “If Sambo was easy, it would be called jiu-jitsu.” However, Jones argues that Sambo doesn’t actually exist.
“We’ve heard about catch wrestling. We’ve heard about Sambo. But we’ve never seen them work,” Jones stated. “If Islam gets a submission, it’s labeled as a jiu-jitsu submission. If he executes a takedown, it’s categorized as a judo move. If he goes for a double-leg, it’s considered a wrestling technique. So, for me, where is Sambo? Sambo is a myth. It’s non-existent.”
For more information about the event, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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