Craig Jones, the renowned Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) wizard and grappling partner for elite fighters like Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski, appeared on Lex Fridman’s podcast. He shed light on a memorable encounter with Islam Makhachev following UFC 284.

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As the cameras rolled during the post-fight moments, fans eagerly witnessed Islam and Craig engaging in playful banter after Islam’s victory over Volkanovski by decision. However, Craig’s appearance on the podcast revealed the specifics of their conversation. It unveils a humorous and unexpected exchange between the two fighters!

Islam Makhachev Tried To 10-8 Craig Jones After Volkanovski Fight

Craig recounted the encounter, saying, “But he came up…I went to shake his hand and he gave me a big hug and pretended to throw me.” This unexpected gesture from Islam caught Craig off guard, setting the tone for their interaction.

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Craig further explained, “And then I thought the interaction was over but he circled back, and so that’s why I was so awkward.

Curiosity piqued, Fridman probed further, asking Craig about the content of their conversation. Craig revealed Islam’s playful question, stating, “I thought he wants something else, but he just said, ‘Why didn’t you teach your boy how to escape a body triangle?‘”

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Intrigued by Craig’s response, Lex inquired about his retort, asking, “Interesting. What’d you say to that?”.

Craig humorously replied, “I said, well obviously you need to learn how to finish a rear naked choke.” This witty remark showcased Craig’s quick thinking and ability to engage in playful banter.

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Clarifying the authenticity of his response, Craig clarified, “Nah, I didn’t say that.” While the exact words spoken by Craig may remain a mystery, the underlying humor and camaraderie between the two competitors were evident.

Read More: “I Got This From the UFC” – Months After IV Controversy, Islam Makhachev’s Manager Levels Heinous Accusations Against Alexander Volkanovski

Craig Jones Podcast Appearance Reveals Mutual Respect Between Camps  and Fighters

This lighthearted exchange between Craig Jones and Islam Makhachev served as a testament to the bond shared by fighters in the MMA community. Even amidst intense moments following a fight, fighters find room for playful banter and camaraderie.

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Islam Makhachev battles Alexander Volkanovski

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In the ever-evolving world of combat sports, these lighter moments highlight the human side of the fighters and provide a refreshing perspective for fans.

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As Craig’s story unfolded on Lex Fridman’s podcast, it became clear that beyond the intense battles in the octagon, there is often friendship, respect, and a shared passion for the martial arts.

Watch This Story:  Dana White Is Impressed By MMA Fans In Tajikistan As Islam Makhachev Arrives As Guest of Honor 

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Dushyant Patni

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Dushyant Patni is a Senior UFC Writer at EssentiallySports, bringing over eight years of diverse writing experience and a Master’s in English Literature to the fight game. For the past two years, he has been a key figure at the ES Fight Night Desk, covering live MMA action with a sharp eye for subtle in-round details that often escape casual viewers. A lifelong combat sports enthusiast, Dushyant’s passion spans boxing, Bruce Lee’s martial arts philosophy, PRIDE FC’s golden era, and modern-day UFC. This unique blend of old-school fight culture and contemporary analysis enables him to connect with both hardcore MMA purists and new-generation fans. His journalistic depth was recognized when his breakdown of Conor McGregor’s ‘Sweet Love’ venture earned a public nod from The Notorious himself. Before joining EssentiallySports, Dushyant built a versatile content portfolio, writing for pop culture platforms, authoring educational books for children, crafting audience-driven web content for major clients, and even working as a teacher. This multifaceted background fuels his narrative-driven fight coverage, where every match is not just a contest, but a story worth telling.

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Rupkamal Sarma