The UFC has cameras in both corner’s between rounds. Brief excerpts can be seen during the PPV, but the entire thing was pored over by Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie.
The utility of bulk and strength in combat sports has long been questioned, due to the premium on endurance in anything more serious than a Toughman competition. If strength and size were the prime determinants of success in a fight, Mariusz Pudzianowski? could beat Cain Velasquez.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones famously got into powerlifting during the past year. Many fans were impressed with Bones’ newfound muscles, but his head coach Greg Jackson was not impressed.
Event highlights:
PRE-FIGHT BACKSTAGE
Jon Jones: (screaming) I am the champion! I am the champion! I am the champion! Let’s go! Oh yeah, baby. Lord God, I love you so much, lord God. I just thank you so much for the opportunity to be back here, use my gift that you’ve blessed me with, lord God. I thank you for these great men that you’ve picked for my life. I pray that we all have your wisdom tonight, lord God, strength, wisdom and power, lord God. Speed and finesse, lord God. Lord, I pray you watch over me and allow me to keep it fun and have a great time, and just use my blessings to the top of my ability. Speed and power, my God. I love you so much. I thank you so much. Let’s win. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Unknown: Coach, I always like working with you guys, because it’s so easy. I don’t have to do anything.
Greg Jackson: That’s what the ladies say.
PRE-FIGHT OCTAGONSIDE
Greg Jackson: The mind is water. Water cuts everything. Rock, stone … your mind is water.
ROUND 3
Greg Jackson: I want you to feel water falling on your head and relax. Relax. You’re winning this fight. Relax. Listen. What you have to do is start opening up a little bit. Believe. Just believe. I guarantee your cardio is there, everything is there. Just believe.
ROUND 4
Greg Jackson: Believe, Jon Jones, believe!
Unknown: Are you going to become a traveling preacher? You sound like it.
Greg Jackson: Oh, I think you would do it better.
Unknown: We could do it together, make a lot of money. He’s going to start a new religion.
Greg Jackson: All right, you tell me, and then we’ll preach it.
Let’s go, Rashad! Mantis, mantis, mantis!
BEFORE FINAL ROUND
Greg Jackson: He’s close to breaking, which means he’s going to come out hard at you. He’s coming at you. You’re going to finish him this round, but he’s coming with everything he’s got.
This the most dangerous time. It’s the most dangerous time in the entire fight. I want to take him down. Let’s get him down, boys. Let’s work to get him down.
DURING FINAL ROUND
Greg Jackson: Babies babies babies! Hand position and pants him!
AFTER THE FINAL BELL
Izzy Martinez: He did all right coach.
Greg Jackson: Powerlifting’s a problem. He gasses. I only want to do an I-told-you-so dance right now.
