Craig Jones Thinks That (Most Of The Time) BJJ Guys Are Useless As An MMA Cornerman

Despite his own successful transition into MMA coaching, Craig Jones recently offered a surprisingly blunt take on the role of BJJ coaches in mixed martial arts.

Speaking after Volkanovski’s dominant win over Diego Lopes at UFC 314, Jones reflected on the work they put into grappling during camp.It prompted him to speak openly about the value (or lack thereof) that Jiu-Jitsu coaches often bring to MMA corners:

Often times a coach, especially a grappling coach for MMA, most of the time Jiu-Jitsu guys are f*cking useless.

That honesty extended into a discussion about what it actually takes to make Jiu-Jitsu work in an MMA setting.

According to Jones, it’s not that high-level grappling is ineffective, but that the cost-benefit ratio is often unfavorable when you factor in the need to develop striking and wrestling as well:

I do personally believe that high-level grappling at the extreme level works in MMA and Jiu-Jitsu.Even Leg Lock entries work in MMA, it’s just to reach a level to make it effective under the threat of strikes.

It’s diminishing returns, because it’s gonna take you an awfully long time to develop the skills to be effective there.And if you’re trying to be efficient in your training, it’s probably not worth the reward.

He wrapped up his commentary with a tongue-in-cheek jab at his own role:

Ordinarily I wouldn’t advise any MMA fighter to have a pure Jiu-Jitsu guy in their corner.Obviously most of the time I’m just holding a bucket.