Jon Jones is well known both in and outside the world of mixed martial arts. His skills as a fighter, a number of impressive achievements, and the general flow of his career put him on the radar of hardcore Ultimate Fighting Championship fans as well as people who only watch the sport occasionally.
With the title of the youngest champion in the history of UFC, long winning streaks, multiple UFC Light Heavyweight champion titles, and current UFC Heavyweight title, Jon Jones is deservingly considered to be one of the greatest Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters in history.
Born Jonathan Dwight Jones in 1987 in Rochester, USA, he started his athletic career at high school where he was an outstanding wrestler as well as a defensive lineman on the football team. His slight frame earned him the nickname “Bones” from his coach, which he kept throughout his career.
Despite his achievements and winning the title of the state champion, his father didn’t encourage his fighting career. Instead, he wanted Jones to follow in his footsteps and become a pastor. Despite this, Jones dropped out of college where he was supposed to study Criminal Justice, to become an MMA professional fighter.
Jon Jones MMA Record
Stats & Fighting Style
| Height: | 1.93 m (6’4”) |
| Weight: | 112 kg (248 lbs) |
| Nickname: | Bones |
| Stance: | Orthodox |
| Weight Class: | Heavyweight |
| Reach: | 215 cm (84.5”) |
| Current Streak: | 18 wins |
| Head Coach: | Greg Jackson |
| Team: | Jackson-Wink MMA |
| Fighting out of: | Albuquerque, USA |
| Debut: | 12 April, 2008 |
Jones’ technique in the cage is often described as flawless and highly adaptable. He is credited for being dynamic, innovative and always evolving. Some even argue that Jones is not just one of the greatest martial artists in the history of UFC, but the single ultimate fighter to have stepped inside the Octagon.
Jones banks on his exceptional reach and defensive wrestling, with many dubbing his style as creative and unorthodox. His kicking technique ranges from front kicks to the head and body to roundhouse kicks to the legs and upper body. But his most prominent, albeit controversial, technique is the so-called oblique kick. Targeting the opponent’s knees, this technique was popularized by Bruce Lee, who is a known inspiration to Jones. When on the ground, Jones showcases outstanding positional control.
Early Career
After winning the title of the state champion at Union-Endicott High School and the NJCAA wrestling national championship, Jones was transferred from Iowa Central Community College to Morrisville State College, however, he dropped out to pursue a fighting career.
His professional debut happened on 12 April, 2008. Within the period of three months, Jones accrued 6 wins against zero losses – a record that has been undefeated. Before he went on to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Jones had his final wrestling match with Moyses Gabin that brought him the USKBA Light Heavyweight title.
Career Highlights
Jon Jones made his UFC debut at the Octagon on 9 August, 2008. He was fighting Andre Gusmão at UFC 87 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was accepted as a last minute replacement for Tomasz Drwal.
Jon Jones became the youngest UFC champion when he proceeded to win the UFC Light Heavyweight title from Maurício “Shogun” Rua. Jones obtained this victory on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128 by way of third-round TKO. He was 23 years old at the time.
The only lost fight in Jones’ entire UFC career took place on December 5, 2009. Jones fought against Matt Hamill at the UFC The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweight Finale. While he was dominating the fight, Jones was eventually disqualified for the use of an illegal elbow technique. Some people, the UFC president Dana White among them, claim that the fight should have been announced a no contest.
During his career as light heavyweight, Jones uninterruptedly held the champion title from March 2011 to April 2015, and later from December 2018 to August 2020. He was also an interim UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in 2016.
One of the heaviest fights in Jones’ career happened on September 23, 2014 when he came out against the Swedish professional mixed martial artist Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165. Jones won by decision, however both athletes were admitted to hospital for checkup after the fight. In 2021 the fight was inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.
Jones has had a total of 16 title fights. With 15 wins, he owns the records of the most title fight wins in the history of UFC.
Notable Fights
Jon Jones has a total of 22 fights to his credit. And for a fighter of his caliber it is not surprising at all that some of them were quite a spectacle. Yet, some fights and title defenses stand out from the lot. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting ones in chronological order.
UFC 140: Jon Jones vs Lyoto Machida (2011)
Many expected Machida to be a challenge for Jones. Before this match Machida had never been submitted in the UFC. The first round was a close contest between the two fighters. However, in the second round Jones went on to defend his title with a relentless force and won by submission.
UFC 152: Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort (2012)
At the time of this fight Belfort was a big favourite among the fans. There was some amount of certainty that he would win the light heavyweight title in this battle. Belfort did manage to frustrate Jones and even injured him in an impressive armbar, however Jones demonstrated unbelievable levels of endurance and power. The fourth round ended in its first minute, when Jones won by submission.
UFC 165: Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson (2013)
This fight has its own place in the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame, and it absolutely deserves the honour. Both fighters fought fiercely, with the outcome being ambiguous till the very end, and it was a real treat for the audience. Jones won the fight in the fifth and final round, proving once again that he held the champion title for a reason.
UFC 182: Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier (2015)
Some consider Daniel Cormier to be Jones’ Octagon nemesis. The build-up to their fight was full of tension. Cormier had previously wrestled in the Olympics but transitioned from the heavyweight to the light heavyweight to face Jones. Jones won this fight by unanimous decision and became the first person to defeat Cormier in MMA.
UFC 232: Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson (2018)
This fight can be easily called one of the most anticipated rematches in the history of MMA. After their first meeting in 2013, fans couldn’t wait to see Jones and Gustafsson come together in the Octagon again. However this time around, the fight wasn’t as demanding for Jones as the first one. He defeated the Swedish fighter in the third round with a KO, once again taking home the UFC light heavyweight champion belt.
UFC 285: Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane (2023)
In 2020, Jones voluntarily left the fighting scene. Upon his return, he challenged the former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. It only took him 124 seconds to claim the title and secure his place in the new category, now as a heavyweight champion.
Other noteworthy opponents and fights in Jon Jones’ career include:
- Stephan Bonnar: fought at UFC 94 (2009). Jones won by unanimous decision.
- Quinton Jackson: fought at UFC 135 (2011). Jones won by rear naked choke submission.
- Rashad Evans: fought at UFC 145 (2012). Jones won by unanimous decision.
- Chael Sonnen: fought at UFC 159 (2013). Jones won by TKO in the first round.
- Glover Teixeira: fought at UFC 172 (2014). Jones won by unanimous decision.
- Ovince Saint Preux: fought at UFC 197 (2016). Jones won by unanimous decision.
- Thiago Santos: fought at UFC 239 (2019). Jones won by a split decision.
Jon Jones MMA Record: Quick Recap
- What weight division is Jon Jones in?
He began and fought most of his career as a light heavyweight, but transitioned to heavyweight in 2023 when he returned after a three-year voluntary break.
- What is Jon Jones’ UFC record?
It is 21-1 (1 no contest)
- How many times was Jon Jones successful in defending the light heavyweight title?
He did it eleven times.
- What fighting style does Jon Jones employ?
He is often commended for his versatile mix of styles that include wrestling, Muay Thai, jiu jitsu, and striking.
- How many UFC fights has Jon Jones had?
He has had a total of 23 fights throughout his career.
- Has Jon Jones ever lost a fight?
He lost once in his fight against Matt Hamill in 2009, when Jones was disqualified for using an illegal elbow technique.