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It's been a turbulent 2016 for the Jackson Wink MMA Academy, but striking coach Brandon Gibson is optimistic for his gym's future.



Currently in Hamburg, Germany, to be in Andrei Arlovski's corner, Gibson was present at the UFC Fight Night Hamburg media day.



Arlovski was last back in action at UFC Fight Night Rotterdam, where he lost to his Jackson Wink teammate Alistair Overeem. After the two had a falling out in the lead up to that fight, Overeem took his camp out of the Albuquerque facility to some satellite gyms nearby.



Today, Gibson revealed Arlovski and Overeem were now back training in New Mexico, but the two probably aren't going to be writing each other Christmas cards.



"Both are training out of the main gym again," Gibson confirmed. "They train at different times and aren't necessarily friends, but it's work. It's business. They come in and work with their coaches and prepare for their fights. We make it work. It's really not a big deal."





Arlovski faces Barnett this weekend

This Saturday, Arlovski will take on Josh Barnett in the main event in Germany. Gibson is expecting it to be a close fight, but thinks his man has enough to get his hand raised.



"Josh is a former champion and one of the greatest heavyweights of all time," Gibson said. "He's skilled in so many different areas, and poses many dangerous threats. He's good in the grappling, in the wrestling, in the catch-wrestling and also in the standup.



"Andrei brings his own unique set of skills to the heavyweight division. His footwork, his speed, his boxing combinations, his kicks, and his own sambo submissions are a big threat, as well. We just have to put Andrei in the right places throughout the five rounds to make sure he finds his way towards victory."





Dealing with the highs and lows at Jackson-Wink

This year, Holly Holm lost her title, a rift emerged between Overeem and Arlovski, and of course, drama once again surrounded Jon Jones. Gibson admitted the past several months have been crazy, but the team never gets down about it.



"We are always focused, we are always motivated," Gibson said. "We have a short memory with the big wins and we have a short memory with the big losses. We just keep a positive atmosphere in the gym and we work hard; we work hard every single day."



One of the real low points this year has been the injury problems plaguing strawweight Michelle Waterson. Gibson revealed Waterson had been in for further surgery, but that she was already back in the gym and keeping herself ready for when her hand fully heals.



"She re-injured the hand she'd previously broken," Gibson said. "This time, she's had to have surgery, and they've put in a plate and screws, but she's already back in the gym with a big smile on her face and she's working on the areas she can work on. She's getting back to her kicks, getting back to her footwork, and just staying off that hand and letting it recover. Everyone can look forward to seeing her back in the UFC very soon."





Jon Jones' return

Last week, both Jon Jones and Dana White said good news may be on the way for Jones regarding his USADA anti-doping citation. Gibson said the team wasn't quite celebrating yet, but Jones is already back in training and he hasn't missed a beat since being removed from the UFC 200 main event.



"We have received some good news, but until the USADA and Nevada Athletic State Commission hearing, we won't know anything for sure," Gibson said. "We are just waiting for that hearing and waiting for that final verdict on Jon's suspension and ban. He's in the gym and he's working on getting better, too. He will go back and reclaim his belt.



"Jon was straight back in the gym. He was right back to helping his teammates, motivating his teammates--working on areas he wants to improve on and we just can't let it defeat him. He knows he's a champion, we know he's a champion and that he's the greatest fighter of all time. We just need to keep him in the gym and consistently improving.



"Honestly speaking, I wish we did have the opportunity to see him compete at UFC 200, but those were the circumstances, and there's no point crying over it. He's just been right back to work and still improving every day."



Gibson admitted there had been some difficult discussions after all of Jones' problems, but he said he's always been one to stand by the former UFC light heavyweight champion. Gibson believes Jones will not only return, but will again be the champion by the end of 2017.



"We've definitely had those hard discussion behind closed doors," Gibson said. "I've always said about him though, as a friend, as a teammate and, as a student; Jon is my guy, and we still have a very long road ahead of us. He's only 28, and he's got a long career ahead and a long future to keep getting better.



"I don't know if he will be holding the title again by the end of this year, but by the end of 2017 absolutely--and from there on out."