Former Jackson Wink general manager Mikhail Lyubimov shared a series of revelations about the gym's past and present. He disclosed that Jon Jones forced Roman Dolidze out of Jackson Wink after viewing him as a threat, that Jiri Prochazka trained at the gym but Jones has no memory of him, and that co-founders Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn have both effectively checked out — Jackson is frequently absent while Winkeljohn focuses on real estate. Lyubimov also praised Steve Garcia's elite sparring level and noted that Claressa Shields' MMA transition stalled because of her unwillingness to train wrestling and grappling.
A former senior figure at one of MMA's most storied gyms has gone on record with a string of candid revelations about Jackson Wink's internal dynamics, touching on Jon Jones, Jiri Prochazka, Roman Dolidze, and the gym's leadership structure.
Mikhail Lyubimov, who served as general manager at Jackson Wink, disclosed that heavyweight champion Jon Jones played a direct role in pushing Roman Dolidze out of the gym, reportedly viewing the Georgian fighter as a competitive threat. Jones, now 38 and carrying a 28-1-0 record with a six-foot-four frame and an 84-inch reach, has long trained at Jackson Wink and holds considerable sway there. Lyubimov's account suggests that influence extends well beyond the cage.
Dolidze, a 37-year-old middleweight currently ranked 12th in his division with a 15-5-0 record, has since moved on to Xtreme Couture. The six-foot-two Georgian averages 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes, a well-rounded profile that Lyubimov's account implies Jones found threatening enough to act on.
On the light heavyweight side, Lyubimov revealed that Czech contender Jiri Prochazka did spend time training at Jackson Wink, but that Jones has no recollection of him. Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division with a 32-6-1 record, is known for high-volume striking — landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy — and trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno. The detail underscores how removed Jones apparently was from day-to-day activity at the gym.
Lyubimov also addressed the gym's leadership, saying co-founders Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn have both stepped back considerably — Jackson through frequent absences, Winkeljohn through a focus on real estate. He offered praise for welterweight Steve Garcia's sparring quality, describing him as operating at an elite level.
Why it matters
- Jones allegedly shaping personnel decisions at Jackson Wink raises questions about the gym's internal culture and power structure
- Prochazka's time at Jackson Wink going unnoticed by Jones adds context to their light heavyweight rivalry
- Winkeljohn and Jackson's reduced involvement could signal a broader transition at one of MMA's most influential training camps
- Claressa Shields' MMA development, per Lyubimov, has been hampered by resistance to wrestling and grappling training
