Craig Jones alleges that he has contracted a staph infection while training with Alexander Volkanovski.
Craig Jones jests about being infected with Staph and HIV during his training sessions with Alexander Volkanovski (via X).
Renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star, Craig Jones, joined forces with the featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, in preparation for UFC 298. In a recent video uploaded on Volkanovski’s YouTube channel, Jones made a surprising revelation. He claimed to have contracted a Staph infection due to his compromised immune system caused by HIV. Was this statement true?
During the video, the videographer questioned Craig Jones about his absence on the training mats. Jones responded by pointing to a bandage below his knee and stating that he had contracted a Staph infection. However, in the next sentence, he jokingly attributed the infection to his immune problems resulting from HIV. Recognizing the humor, the videographer played along, and they continued the joke together. Here is what Jones said:
Known for his exceptional grappling skills, Craig Jones was also known for his eccentric personality. If someone was not familiar with his character and took his statement seriously, they would have been genuinely concerned for him. This would include Alexander Volkanovski, the members of the training camp, and all of Jones’ previous opponents, as he jokingly mentioned having HIV. However, fans of the sport loved this facet of his personality and always enjoyed his playful banter.
Craig Jones, discussing his Staph infection, stated, “It might have something to do with the immune issues I have from HIV, but that’s a story for another time.” (via Volkanovski’s YouTube) pic.twitter.com/vWwkT2DISp
Craig Jones provided assistance to Alexander Volkanovski in his preparation for multiple fights, most notably against [opponent’s name]. During the buildup to the fight, Jones playfully taunted his opponent for their Sambo background and even claimed that ‘The Great’ would put an end to Sambo. As for Jones’ own career, he is scheduled to compete in a grappling match later this month at Pit Submission Series 2.
Craig Jones has a grappling match scheduled for Pit Submission Series 2 on February 23rd. Additionally, he has recently signed up for another match just a few weeks later at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 on March 3rd. In this upcoming bout, he will face off against former Bellator champion [opponent’s name].
Rafael Lovato Jr. has maintained an undefeated record in his MMA career and has earned numerous medals in the BJJ circuit. Notably, he secured a gold medal in the 92-kilogram weight division at the 2011 ADCC World Championship. Given his impressive achievements, Lovato Jr. poses a formidable challenge for Craig Jones.
Craig Jones was known for his innovative approach in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, often employing unconventional techniques. He has twice claimed silver at the ADCC submission wrestling World Championship. Currently, boasting an outstanding BJJ record, Jones competes as a professional grappler for various promotions. His next opponent in the Pit Submission Series 2 is UFC middleweight Phil Rowe.