In a candid interview with TheMacLife ahead of UFC 315, grappling star Craig Jones offered his unfiltered take on UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad, focusing particularly on Muhammad’s finishing record in the octagon.
Jones, who has been working with Jack Della Maddalena in preparation for his bout against Muhammad, didn’t hold back when discussing what he perceives as Muhammad’s limitations as a mixed martial artist.
“Belal’s finishing rate is not very good,” Jones stated bluntly. “We don’t really see a great deal of ground and pound, and we don’t see a great deal of submissions out of him.”
The jiu-jitsu ace then delivered the line that perfectly encapsulates his perspective on Muhammad’s UFC record: “I think that’s one finish in 16, which is a bit like I don’t brag about giving one girl in 16 an o*gasm.”
While Jones acknowledged Muhammad’s wrestling prowess, describing him as “incredibly good at what he does” and “incredibly effective at pressure,” he believes there are clear strategies to counter Muhammad’s grinding style.
“The only way to fight against that is basically to not be afraid to create movement,” Jones explained, drawing parallels to the approach Alexander Volkanovski used against Islam Makhachev. “If you allow yourself to be flat… it’s over. But it’s like having faith that through efficient movement, you’d be able to get back up.”
Jones claimed he became involved in Della Maddalena’s camp at the request of UFC President Dana White, who supposedly reached out directly for assistance in preparing the Australian striker for Muhammad.
“Dana White called me up and said the UFC is in dire straits… the fate of the UFC’s profitability, arguably even TKO as a whole, lays into this fight,” Jones claimed with his trademark humor. “He basically was begging me.”
Jones expressed confidence in Della Maddalena’s chances against Muhammad, suggesting that his fighter’s grappling abilities are underrated and might surprise viewers.
“Jack is an overall better grappler than Belal,” Jones insisted. “Belal might have a better pure shot, but following that point, he’s quite inactive really. He’s good at what he does, but what he does is nothing.”
Jones also briefly discussed his upcoming grappling match against Olympic gold medalist wrestler Gable Steveson at the next CJI2 event, acknowledging the significant challenge ahead.
