Maurice Greene on move to Jackson Wink MMA: ‘It’s just a good place to be right now’

Maurice Greene on move to Jackson Wink MMA: ‘It’s just a good place to be right now’

Maurice Greene has made some major changes ahead of his upcoming fight.

Greene (8-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) fights Gian Villante on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 12 and has recently moved to the famed Jackson Wink MMA gym, in hopes to turn things around.

The Season 28 “Ultimate Fighter” alum found quick success upon entering the UFC, winning his first three bouts, but currently is on a two-fight skid.

Greene, who used to train out of Factory X in Colorado, decided to pack his things and move to Albuquerque, N.M., with his family – a move that he’s confident will pay dividends.

“I had a lot of family stuff going on, and I wasn’t able to make it out to Factory X and we had some differences,” Greene told MMA Junkie. “I’m not there no more. We just made the decision that that wasn’t a good place for me. (I) hit Juan Adams up. He talked to coach (Mike Winkeljohn). I told him I got a lot of family stuff going on – I have to have my family with me or I can’t come out there. And Mike Winkeljohn didn’t even bat an eye, didn’t even hesitate.

“(I) got there, they took care of me – I mean it was so good, that after this fight, everything goes how I see it in my head, in about a month, we’ll be permanent residents in Albuquerque, N.M.”

He is not short of training partners at Jackson Wink, where he’s been preparing with big men such as Adams, Christian Edwards and Don’Tale Mayes, making the gym a perfect fit for him.

“They strike how I like to strike,” Greene said. “Not to say that Factory X didn’t – their coaches are amazing, their coaches are really good and they’re exceptional. But I like how I’ve been getting coached so far. And then the biggest thing is, I’ve got seven heavyweights that I can train with – seven legitimate heavyweights that I can train with.

“Mike Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson, when I’m working with them either as a group or separately, you get a feeling they’re happy. They’re happy to have me and they’re happy to have my family. They’re just happy. It’s just a good place to be right now.”