Jon Jones
Jonathan Dwight Jones (born July 19, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the UFC Heavyweight Champion. A professional competitor since 2008, Jones was previously the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion from 2011 to 2015 and from 2018 to 2020, as well as the interim UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in 2016. As of November 7, 2023, he is #2 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. He is regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
Jon Jones | |
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Jones in 2014 | |
Born | Jonathan Dwight Jones July 19, 1987 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
Nickname | Bones |
Residence | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
Weight | 248 lb (112 kg; 17 st 10 lb) |
Division | Light heavyweight (2008–2020) Heavyweight (2023–present) |
Reach | 84+1⁄2 in (215 cm) |
Fighting out of | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
Team | Team Bombsquad (2008–2009) Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2009–2021) Jackson's MMA Acoma (2021–present) Fight Ready (2021–present) |
Rank | Black belt in Gaidojutsu under Greg Jackson Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Alencar |
Wrestling | NJCAA Wrestling |
Years active | 2008–present (MMA) |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 29 |
Wins | 27 |
By knockout | 10 |
By submission | 7 |
By decision | 10 |
Losses | 1 |
By disqualification | 1 |
No contests | 1 |
Other information | |
University | Iowa Central Community College |
Children | 4 |
Notable relatives | Arthur Jones (older brother) Chandler Jones (younger brother) |
Notable school(s) | Union-Endicott High School |
Website | www |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Medal record | ||
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Collegiate Wrestling | ||
Representing Iowa Central Community College | ||
NJCAA Wrestling Championships | ||
2006 Rochester | 197 lb |
Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history with his title victory over Maurício Rua at age 23. He holds many UFC records in the light heavyweight division, including the most title defenses, most wins, and longest win streak. During much of his championship reign, Jones has been widely considered to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Never stopped nor outscored during his career, Jones's only professional loss is a controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill; a result disputed by Hamill and UFC president Dana White.
Between 2015 and 2017, Jones was involved in several controversies and lost his title three times as a result of disciplinary action. He was first stripped of his title and removed from the official rankings by the UFC in 2015 after he was arrested on felony hit-and-run charges. His subsequent returns to the UFC in 2016 and 2017 saw him emerge victorious in title bouts against Ovince Saint Preux and Daniel Cormier, but were both cut short by Jones testing positive for banned substances and receiving further suspensions, with the latter reversed to a no contest. After his 2017 suspension was lifted, Jones reclaimed the championship in 2018 by defeating Alexander Gustafsson. He voluntarily vacated the title in 2020 and spent three years away from MMA before returning in 2023 to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Ciryl Gane.