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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
MMA Junkie Staff and Ken Hathaway

Don’Tale Mayes: Training partner Jon Jones looks strong for heavyweight debut

LAS VEGAS – Don'Tale Mayes has some big business of his own to take care of Saturday, but also has some insight on one of the biggest UFC fights in recent memory.

Ahead of his heavyweight bout against Augusto Sakai (15-5-1 MMA, 4-4 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 220 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Mayes (9-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has been training with former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. That’s a notch in Mayes’ favor no matter what, given Jones is considered by many to be the best fighter in history.

But Mayes also is catching Jones at the perfect time: while he’s training for the vacant heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane, which headlines UFC 285 next week. Mayes no doubt has Sakai front and center on his mind, but said Jones is feeling plenty strong ahead of his heavyweight debut.

Check out Mayes’ full pre-fight media day interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 220.

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