Former Jackson-Wink general manager Mikhail Lyubimov shared several notable revelations about the storied gym, including that Jon Jones once demanded Roman Dolidze be expelled from the team because Jones viewed him as a legitimate threat to his status. Lyubimov also disclosed that Cub Swanson permanently left the gym after Arman Ospanov broke his ribs with a spinning kick in sparring. According to Lyubimov, the gym's decline stems from Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn burning out — Jackson is frequently absent while Winkeljohn has grown disenchanted and is now more focused on real estate. He also highlighted Josh Hokit's unconventional fight camp ahead of UFC White House, noting that Hokit's primary sparring partner is a welterweight grappler with a losing record and that Greg Jackson will not work Hokit's corner because of his political opposition to Donald Trump.
Mikhail Lyubimov, a former general manager at Jackson-Wink MMA, has gone public with a series of candid revelations about the New Mexico gym's internal dynamics, touching on Jon Jones, Cub Swanson, and the fading influence of its founding coaches.
Among the most striking claims is that Jon Jones, the 38-year-old heavyweight and former light heavyweight champion carrying a 28-1-0 record, once demanded that Roman Dolidze be removed from the team. According to Lyubimov, Jones viewed Dolidze as a genuine threat to his standing within the gym. Dolidze, now 37 and competing as a ranked middleweight at number 12 in the world, holds a 15-5-0 record and trains out of Xtreme Couture after his apparent departure from Jackson-Wink.
Lyubimov also disclosed that Cub Swanson's exit from the gym was not a quiet one. Swanson reportedly left permanently after sustaining broken ribs from a spinning kick landed by Arman Ospanov during a sparring session.
On the subject of the gym's broader decline, Lyubimov pointed to the principals themselves. He described Greg Jackson as frequently absent and Mike Winkeljohn as having grown disillusioned, with Winkeljohn's attention now reportedly directed toward real estate rather than coaching.
Why it matters
- Jones demanding a teammate's removal underscores the internal politics that can fracture elite training environments
- Dolidze's exit to Xtreme Couture now carries additional context if Lyubimov's account is accurate
- The coaching situation at Jackson-Wink has a direct competitive consequence: ahead of UFC White House on June 14, Josh Hokit will not have Greg Jackson in his corner, with Lyubimov citing Jackson's political objections to Donald Trump as the reason
- Hokit's preparation reportedly consists largely of sparring with a welterweight grappler carrying a losing record, raising questions about the quality of his fight camp
Sunday, June 14, 2026
