Exclusive: Coach Marc Montoya explains why no UFC star wants to fight “daunting” Jon Jones

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Jon Jones wants to fight Stipe Miocic next in a bid to win the UFC Heavyweight title

Marc Montoya and Alexander Hernandez were the latest guests on the Schmozone podcast as the pair opened up on their relationship as coach and fighter.

Hernandez has been impressive in the UFC while Montoya has worked with some of the best in the promotion.

Anthony Smith in action against Jon Jones
Anthony Smith (L) throws a punch during a light heavyweight title bout against Jon Jones during UFC 235 at T-Mobile Arena on March 02, 2019 (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)

Montoya has trained a few fighters to take on Jon Jones and the topic of the former Light Heavyweight champion was brought up.

Jones vacated his title and moved up to the Heavyweight division recently. He is keen on fighting Stipe Miocic for the title. While the UFC is yet to confirm Miocic being the next fight for the legend that is Jon Jones, Montoya opened up on the difficulties in facing the former champion.

“From the perspective of having to game plan and train for Jon Jones, when Anthony Smith fought him. One of the most daunting tasks I have ever had as a coach is looking at Jon Jones.

“He’s crazy. He is a fighter nobody wants to fight, he’s very unpredictable and he’s got amazing technique. His IQ is high, he trusts his coaches. You can say whatever you want about him off the mat, everyone has their opinion there.

“In the cage, in the Octagon, he is one of the best I have ever seen do it. Not only from a TV screen but live when I have seen high fight other fights but also when I was coaching against him. He is phenomenal, one of the best ever, if not the best we have ever seen in the Octagon.”

The best ever

The debate over who the greatest of all-time (GOAT) in the MMA business still goes on. Some say Khabib Nurmagomedov is the best while others have called Jones as the greatest ever.

Retired stars such as Georges St-Pierre are also always in the discussion but Hernandez believed that Jones was the best of the lot.

Jones’ impressive record in the UFC was also brought up and the fact that he had fought several champions across generations to keep his belt.

Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes was one of the great fights in recent UFC history
Dominick Reyes and Jon Jones in their UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout during UFC 247 (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Hernandez also claimed that Jones vs Miocic was a fight that excited him more than Francis Ngannou vs Miocic.

Montoya also spoke about coaching Miocic during their time at The Ultimate Fighter. The coach claimed that Miocic is a phenomenal athlete and Jones taking on the champion is a fight that the fans want to happen.

This was an exclusive interview from The Schmozone Podcast. For more exclusive interviews and content please follow the link

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