Jackson on Jones: ‘An Eye-Opening Experience’

LAS VEGAS -- Greg Jackson trains some of the world’s most accomplished mixed martial artists, so when he speaks in glowing -- almost hyperbolic terms -- people tend to listen. His latest project, light heavyweight wunderkind Jon Jones, has him raving.

“It’s certainly been an eye-opening experience for me,” said Jackson, who has sharpened the skills of reigning UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and former light heavyweight titleholder Rashad Evans.

Already one of the UFC’s most physically gifted competitors, Jones will lock horns with Matt Hamill in the co-main event at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale on Saturday at the Palms Casino Resort. Jackson revels in the chance to shape another thoroughbred.

“Everybody has to be harnessed,” Jackson said. “It’s how you harness them. Only a few fighters are ultra creative. You want them to be creative, as long as they’re not crazy.”

Unbeaten in nine professional appearances, Jones finds himself on the fast track to superstardom. Stuck on the undercard in two of his first three shows under the UFC banner, he will move front and center in a matter of days. It will serve as a chance for the talented, 6-foot-4 light heavyweight to broaden his horizons and expose his otherworldly tools to a wider audience.

“This is our first fight together,” Jackson said. “He displays a high level of maturity. For someone who’s 22, he listens, he’s coachable and he’s calm. I think it’s pretty rare. He exudes the kind of maturity not a lot of older fighters exude.”

Training at Jackson’s MMA Mecca in Albuquerque, N.M., only enhances Jones’ potential.

“It’s opened my eyes to how much I was missing,” Jones said. “It’s amazing. It’s changed me a lot.”

Jackson does not foresee Jones having difficulty moving into his new role as a headliner.

“It’s just like any other fight,” he said. “I don’t even think about that stuff. Once you focus on that, your focus is off the fight.”

Jones submitted Jake O’Brien with a second-round guillotine choke at UFC 100 five months ago. It followed a pair of dazzling route-going victories against the durable Stephan Bonnar and International Fight League veteran Andre Gusmao. He has finished seven of his nine opponents and, in doing so, has displayed a unique and potent skill set that has many insiders touting him as the future of the 205-pound division.

Jones seems content to bide his time.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Jones said. “I feel totally confident. I feel just blessed to be on this route. I just see what’s now. There’s no belt. There’s only Matt Hamill. Matt Hamill is the belt.”