Former Jackson-Wink general manager Mikhail Lyubimov shared a series of revelations about the gym's history and fighters. Jon Jones once forced Roman Dolidze out of the gym after Dolidze was regularly submitting Jones and his BJJ coaches, while Jones could not recall ever sparring with Jiri Prochazka despite the Czech's visit to the facility. Lyubimov also disclosed that Greg Jackson will not corner Josh Howkit at UFC White House for political reasons, that Claressa Shields failed in MMA due to laziness in wrestling, and that the decline of Jackson-Wink stems from both Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn burning out from the sport.
Mikhail Lyubimov, the former general manager of Jackson-Wink MMA, has gone public with a string of candid revelations about the gym's inner workings, covering figures including Jon Jones, Jiri Prochazka, Roman Dolidze, Claressa Shields, and Josh Howkit.
Among the most striking disclosures involves Jones and Dolidze. According to Lyubimov, the 37-year-old Georgian middleweight — now ranked twelfth at 185 pounds with a 15-5 record and competing out of Xtreme Couture — was regularly submitting Jones and his Brazilian jiu-jitsu coaches during training sessions. The situation reportedly became uncomfortable enough that Jones, the 38-year-old heavyweight legend carrying a 28-1 record and a six-foot-four frame with an 84-inch reach, eventually forced Dolidze out of the facility entirely.
Lyubimov also addressed a visit to Jackson-Wink by Jiri Prochazka, the second-ranked light heavyweight contender from the Czech Republic. The six-foot-three, 203-centimeter-reach orthodox striker — who lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate — did make his way to the Albuquerque gym, yet Lyubimov says Jones could not recall ever sharing the mat with him during that trip.
On the coaching side, Lyubimov revealed that head coach Greg Jackson will not work Josh Howkit's corner at UFC White House on June 14, citing political reasons for his absence. Lyubimov also spoke bluntly about Claressa Shields, stating that her transition to MMA ultimately fell short because of a lack of dedication to wrestling.
Why it matters
- Jones's reported discomfort with Dolidze adds rare context to the champion's training history and personal dynamics inside the gym
- The Prochazka detail raises questions about how seriously Jackson-Wink engaged with visiting elite talent
- Jackson's decision to skip UFC White House leaves Howkit without one of MMA's most decorated cornermen for a significant card
- Lyubimov places the broader decline of Jackson-Wink squarely on burnout from both Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, signaling a genuine shift in the gym's standing in the sport
Sunday, June 14, 2026
