‘Once in a lifetime’: How Bulldogs landed UFC’s biggest fighter straight off the airplane

‘Teach him a lesson’: Volk promises to ‘humble’ rival … and he wants another Islam rematch

UFC boss destroys reporter over ‘leash’ question

“And hopefully something I said today sticks with them.”

Certainly Ciraldo has little question.

Asked to explain the day, the Dogs head coach instructed Fox Sports Australia: “Once in a lifetime.

“For the players to hear about the effort that goes into mental preparation … Jon made it really clear that he spends more time on the mental stuff than the physical side of fighting.

“And to hear him speak about how he gets ready for a UFC title fight, how much he values those techniques, it was really cool for our guys to listen to.”

Which is one thing so usually forgotten about this fighter who, aside from being among the many UFC’s most gifted athletes, and as soon as its youngest champion, has most lately spent three lengthy years making ready for his second title in a brand new weight class.

“Jon’s been at the top of his game for so long,” Ciraldo continued.

“And you can’t do that unless you have a real strong grounding in who you want to be and what you want to do.

“So for him to go through and explain all that – in real detail, too – it’s been an incredible experience for our guys.

“He not only spoke about how the great athletes do extras, but then explained to the boys what his extras look like.”

Which issues.

“Because our guys at the moment, they’re training really well,” Ciraldo mentioned. “We’re physically prepared.

“So our biggest improvement area will be between the ears.”

The Jones expertise continues Ciraldo’s lengthy, and profitable, partnership with UFC fighters, given it was the coach who introduced Australia’s first UFC champ Rob Whittaker onto employees throughout his time at Penrith.

Whittaker, fellow UFC fighter Jacob Malkoun and their esteemed head coach Alex Prates have been all a part of the Panthers defensive crew via two premiership seasons and at the moment are with Ciraldo at Belmore.

Currently, Team Whittaker is camped in California, with the fighter dubbed ‘Bobby Knuckles’ set to throw down in opposition to Brazilian Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in Anaheim this Sunday (AEST).

The hyped card will likely be topped by Australia’s UFC featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski, who appears to be like to defend his title for a sixth time in opposition to Ilia Topuria, whereas Brisbane heavyweight Justin Tafa can also be chasing one other spotlight reel KO.

Asked about having his gamers combine in with Whittaker and co. Ciraldo mentioned: “We have a great relationship with those guys and often have Rob training alongside us (at his Smeaton Grange gym).

“We’ll be out there training and he is right alongside us working too.

“And we’re so lucky to have that.

“For our players to also see his level of preparation.

“And to then get Jon Jones into camp … it’s been a great experience.”

Arriving in Sydney for the primary leg of a quick Australia tour, Jones teamed up with Lifecykel Labs, a biotechnical firm, and Better Breathing Devices to additionally host a efficiency problem with the Dogs gamers.

Each problem was particularly designed to check a participant’s focus and energy underneath strain, with Jones then giving suggestions on every particular person’s efficiency and perception into how they might enhance.

Challenges included push ups, sprints and max effort on an Echo bike, whereas there was additionally a novel “gas in the tank” problem testing lung capability.

Said Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton: “I know I can speak for all of us when saying there’s a lot our players and staff will take out of today.

“Learning from Jon’s mindset, how he prepares mentally and physically and how he manages to reset when facing adversity.

“It’s an honour to have him here.”