Coach: Jon Jones is developing one-strike KO power

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones holds some of the most impressive victories in MMA history, having finished some of the best light heavyweights on earth in their competitive primes. That said, there aren’t a lot of one-shot knockouts on his resume. Instead, the former champion has delivered most of his stoppages by TKO or submission.

Apparently, that could soon change.

According to Jon Jones’ striking coach Brandon Gibson, the former champion is beginning to develop one-shot striking power.

“I think there’s still a lot of growth possible,” Gibson said on The MMA Hour (via MMA Fighting). “Jon’s in his 30s now, I think he’s really starting to develop the one-strike knockout power, we saw that in the last (Daniel Cormier) fight. Before that, Jon was like a break ‘em down, break ‘em down, break ‘em down, finish, where guys were never just out cold, unconscious. I think now Jon’s really developing a lot of power for 205 and he’s gonna really start putting guys to sleep.”

Gibson also gave an update on Jon Jones’ future. While there has recently been quite a bit of talk about Jones moving up to the heavyweight division, the priority is apparently for Jones to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight belt. Once that’s accomplished, he might consider a move up to heavyweight.

“I think the goal right now when he returns would be to claim back the light heavyweight crown,” Gibson said, “But Jon has a frame and definitely the technique and the size to compete at heavyweight. And who knows, maybe they make a 225 cruiserweight some day, or 195. I think Jon would have a lot of interest in different weight categories, not just heavyweight.”

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 8/11/2018.