Jon Jones returns to action Dec. 11 at Submission Underground 2 (SUG 2), where he will grapple MMA legend Dan Henderson in a submission-only showdown live on FloGrappling.com. 

Ahead of the matchup, the longtime UFC light heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound MMA great joined Joe Rogan for a recording of the ​Joe Rogan Experience​ podcast, where he discussed his newfound love for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and much more. ​

"I do love jiu-jitsu," Jones told Rogan. "My professor, he’s a great coach, man. They call him ‘Tussa.’ I think it’s Portuguese for like 'Bucktooth' or something like that. But his real name is Roberto Alencar. He’s a several-time world champion in jiu-jitsu...He literally is right there with me every practice. I’ve never done gi training, but he doesn’t settle.

"I’m technically a white belt, but every position, he’s like, ‘You gotta do this, do this right. Put your hand here. Make this tighter.’ [It’s] super technical. I feel like I’m getting pretty good right now." 

After professing his respect and love for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Jones chucked some humor Rogan's way. 

"People are going to hate me [when I return to MMA], bro," Jones said. "My style’s going to be like [Demian] Maia. I’m just going to take people down, ride your ass out and submit you. Don’t expect any more stand-up striking from me." 

When Rogan expressed his disbelief, Jones lifted the curtain. 

"I’m joking, Joe," Jones said. "I don’t know what I’m going to do at this point, but I’m getting better and I’m preserving myself." 

Explaining how he got involved with Submission Underground 2, Jones revealed an unlikely encounter which set the entire plan in motion. 

"I did a small grappling event," Jones said. "I was at  an autograph signing and some guy was like, ‘Hey, you ever roll? Competitively?’ And I was like, ‘No, I haven’t since like 2009 or something.’ I did one jiu-jitsu match my whole career and I won it with four submission against these guys or whatever." 

After, Jones said the man—who he recalled was a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu—asked to roll. When Jones politely declined, the man persisted. 

"So he’s like, ‘Well at least come over and say hi. There are a lot of kids over there, a lot of people who would love to see you, so come show some support to the jiu-jitsu community,'" Jones said. 

Then, the man laid down a challenge Jones simply couldn't ignore. 

"So when I went there after my autograph signing, there were a bunch of people standing around and I was getting everybody and the guy was like, ‘Hey, are you going to roll with me or what?’" Jones said. "And a lot of people heard him, and I feel like someone wins when they call you out and you don’t oblige them.

"So I was just like, in this guy’s head, it’s a small victory knowing that I backed down. We’re not punching, it’s jiu-jitsu. Nobody’s going to get hurt. And I was like, you know what? Let me live a little. Let me just do this. I’m sure the kids are going to love it, the people are going to love it." 





Jones then tapped two men out "fairly quickly," something he believes led to the call up to Submission Underground. 

"I think these people from Submission Underground, they saw those videos, and they’re starting this new promotion where they’re actually paying fighters pretty well," Jones said. "They’re taking care of the athletes."

Now facing Henderson, Jones recognizes a unique challenge ahead, and he knows his opponent will be intensely driven to emerge victorious in Portland. 

"I’m sure this means a lot to him, to be able to beat me, even in a grappling match," Jones said. "That’s quite the way to end your career. I don’t know how hard he’s training, but I’m putting a little effort into it for sure."

Submission Underground 2 goes live on FloGrappling.com Sunday, December 11. 

How to Watch Submission Underground 2

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