Jones blasts ex-coach for handling of split: 'Miserable bastard'
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones sounded off on ex-coach Mike Winkeljohn in a series of since-deleted tweets Wednesday, two months after their split.
Winkeljohn barred Jones from his longtime gym, Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., after he was arrested in September for misdemeanor battery domestic violence and felony injuring or tampering with a vehicle.
Jones believes Winkeljohn has painted him in a bad light in private since his arrest. He accused the coach of telling the media "he wants the best for me" while trying to "crush" Jones and "harassing" other Jackson Wink MMA coaches behind closed doors for still working with the fighter.
"What a miserable bastard," Jones wrote, according to MMA Fighting.
The 34-year-old announced in November he doesn't intend to return to Jackson Wink MMA and will instead train out of an affiliate gym associated with his other longtime coach, Greg Jackson. Jones has continued to work with many Jackson Wink MMA coaches, including Jackson and striking coach Brandon Gibson.
The former champ also ripped Winkeljohn for his lack of coaching abilities.
"I didn't leave the team because I couldn't handle a punishment; I left the gym because I wasn't training with Wink anymore anyway," Jones wrote. "This man hasn't taught the students a new technique since I met him."
Jones' recent arrest was the latest of several legal troubles that have occurred throughout his MMA career. Before the New York native made it clear he wouldn't return to Jackson Wink MMA, Winkeljohn said Jones would be allowed back if he made significant life changes to prevent further issues outside of the cage.
Jones said following his arrest that he was "ready to quit drinking" and recently suggested he has been sober since that day.
"Bones" last competed in February 2020, defeating Dominick Reyes in a light heavyweight title defense. He was expected to move up to heavyweight and challenge Francis Ngannou for the belt earlier in 2021, but a financial dispute with the UFC has kept him sidelined.