Jon Jones has been working with Gable Steveson as the Olympic wrestling champion prepares for his UFC debut. Details surrounding Glover Teixeira's eye have also come to light.
Jon Jones is lending his expertise to Gable Steveson as the Olympic wrestling champion gears up for his highly anticipated UFC debut, with the heavyweight legend taking an active role in the preparation.
Jones, 38, brings one of the most decorated resumes in combat sports history to the training room. Carrying a 28-1-0 professional record, the six-foot-four, 193-centimeter heavyweight is widely regarded as among the greatest fighters the sport has produced. His 84-inch reach and well-rounded skill set — including 4.38 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy, combined with 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes — make him a credible and formidable mentor for a wrestler transitioning into MMA.
Steveson, a decorated Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling, has not yet made his professional MMA debut, and Jones's guidance figures to sharpen the areas beyond grappling that any elite wrestler must develop to compete at the UFC level.
Separately, details have emerged regarding a eye issue involving Glover Teixeira. The 46-year-old Brazilian veteran, who competes out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, holds a professional record of 33-9-0 and remains one of the more experienced fighters on the roster. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, Teixeira has averaged 3.73 significant strikes per minute across his career alongside a strong grappling foundation of 2.11 takedowns and 0.9 submission attempts per 15 minutes. No further specifics about the nature or severity of the eye concern were detailed beyond what has come to light.
Why it matters
- Jones mentoring Steveson adds elite MMA experience to a pure wrestling base ahead of a debut that will attract significant attention.
- Steveson's grappling credentials are exceptional, but Jones's striking and cage-craft knowledge could accelerate his overall development.
- Any health update regarding Teixeira warrants monitoring given the veteran's age and continued competitive activity at 46.
