Height/Weight/Division:
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) / 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) / Light-heavyweight
Networth:
$10 million
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonnybones
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonnybones/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Jonbones.Jones
Without a doubt the greatest talent in MMA history, Jon Jones is considered by many to have the best resume in terms of guys beaten. Not only that but Jones was also the youngest champion in UFC history, dethroning a prime Shogun Rua in just his 8th UFC fight.
What sets Jones apart from other fighters is that first off, he is gifted with the longest reach in UFC, and he is competing at light-heavyweight. His reach alone could stop his opponents from hitting him, that is how long the gap of his reach over other opponents.
Although there were many fighters that also have the gifted reach advantage, no other fighter was able to use it better than Jones. Fighters like Stefan Struve who had a similar reach advantage did not have much success, it just proves that physical gifts alone couldn’t bring you to the very top.
UFC Early Start
Jones entered the UFC with a record of 7-0 and took a fight on short notice against André Gusmão, he was a replacement fighter but he took advantage of the opportunity to showcase his skills. Jones went on to dominate the fight using his takedowns and creative striking, he won all rounds.
In his next fight UFC fight, he faced TUF finalist, Stephen Bonnar and the fight was not even close. Jones was still a slight underdog going in, and he proved that night that he is more than ready to face a well-experienced veteran like Stephen Bonnar. One of the key highlights of the fight was his spinning back elbow and suplex. Jones went on to win a unanimous decision.
Jones then faced Jake O’Brien where he was going as a decent favorite due to his latest dominating performance. Jones managed to stop O’Brien at the second round via guillotine choke.
He was then scheduled to headline The Ultimate Fighter Finale where he suffered his first and only lost due to disqualification. Jones was close to finishing the fight and then landed a 12-6 elbow that led to a DQ loss.
Although it was unfortunate for Jones to have a loss due to a DQ, he was ready to move on. 3 months later, he faced Brandon Vera and won via knockout. He got a knockout of the night bonus.
Since then Jones was running through guys, he looked like a threat among the fighters. He went on to fight two more times before fighting for the title. He beat Vladimir Matyushenko and Ryan Bader, which all ended via stoppages.
Youngest UFC Champion
UFC granted him a title shot against Shogun Rua, the hype was already there as Jones was the favorite going into the fight. At the opening bell, Jones threw a flying knee which just shows that he was born to fight in the spotlight.
Jones’s was physically bigger, stronger, and much more creative than Rua had no answer. When it came to striking, he was long and once Jones got him down he landed vicious elbows. After Jones was picking him apart, Rua went down due to a body strike. The fight was not even close and Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history.
Jones stops Rampage Jackson
It was the start of Jones’s reign among the light-heavyweight greats, his next defense was against Rampage Jackson. It was also the first opponent that Jones was starstruck at first but he also put on a clinic on the fight. Jackson was known for his power but he couldn’t land against Jones and once he took Jackson down, he secured a rear-naked choke that gave Jackson his first stoppage loss in the UFC.
Jones vs Machida
He then faced Karate specialist Lyoto Machida, many thought that Machida could give him problems especially in the countering. Although Machida had great success in the first round, it was Jones that landed a feint that led to a punch. Once Jones gut Machida stunned, he locked in a guillotine choke that put Machida to sleep.
His next fight was against his former teammate, Rashad Evans. There were dramas going in as their team chose to train Jones over Evans. There was a lot of bad blood but it was Jones dominating at least 4 rounds which led to a unanimous decision win.
The only fight that was so close to stopping Jones was his next fight against Vitor Belfort. No one was aware that Belfort had a great armbar, so he was able to secure an armbar against Jones but was not able to make him tap. It showed Jones’s championship mentality and he went on to submit Belfort via Americana at the fourth round.
Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen were then booked to be coaches at a TUF tv show which led to them fighting. Jones went on to finish Sonnen in the very first round but post-fight it revealed that his toe was broken.
Jones vs Gustafsson 1
The greatest LHW fight that no one was expecting happened next, as he faced Swedish fighter, Alexander Gustafsson. It was the fight that made Jones bleed, it was a back n forth and a close fight but all judges gave Jones the win. It was close, and probably the most strikes that Jones absorbed throughout his career.
Gustafsson may have lost the fight but his stocks went up. It was one of the greatest fights in UFC history, two fighters having a back n forth that it even went to a decision. It was also the first time Jones faced someone as big as he is.
After coming off a beatdown, UFC booked him against Brazillian fighter, Glover Teixeira who was on a long win streak of his own. The fight was Jones dominating the fight in the pocket.
Jones vs Cormier
Without a doubt, Jones’s most famous rivalry was against Daniel Cormier. It had the story, drama, and bad blood that it would sell the fight. It all started at their faceoff where both fighters were going physically.
The fight was competitive in the early rounds but as the fight went on it was Jones that proved why he has been defending the belt numerous times. In the championship round, Jones proved that he is just the better fighter.
Controversies
Fans and the media are all aware of Jones’s outside controversies. May it be PEDS, DUI, or even drug-related problems. There is a saying if Jones did not pop for steroids, he would be the greatest fighter of all time and it would not even be close.
Unfortunately, Jones always finds a way to get into trouble. He was later stripped of his belt due to this.
His comeback fight was for the title against Cormier but the fight did not happen due to Cormier pulling out so the UFC booked him an interim fight against Ovince Saint Preux. He had a disappointing performance but he still won the fight pretty decisively.
A title unification was then scheduled but Jones tested for a banned substance, stripping him off of his title again. It was supposedly the main event for UFC 200.
Jones vs Cormier 2
Jones was finally eligible to fight, and it was booked for UFC 214. Cormier looked like he improved since their first fight but might have gotten overconfident mid-fight.
Jones was trying to set a trap of making Cormier think that he would kick low but in turn, went for a head kick that stunned Cormier. It led to Cormier’s first finish loss.
A month later, Jones tested for banned substances again which made the UFC strip his belt.
After serving his suspension, a rematch was booked against Alexander Gustafsson for the vacant belt. This time, the fight ended in a stoppage. Once Jones took Gustafsson down, it was over.
Jones then faced Anthony Smith, where was winning every second of the fight. Although Jones landed an illegal strike Smith chose to continue fighting. Jones went on to win a one-sided decision.
He was then scheduled to face fierce striker, Thiago Santos. Unfortunately, Santos suffered an injury in the early parts that made him less explosive than usual. Jones looked slow in the fight and was more cautious. Jones won via split decision.
Jones vs Reyes
Jones faced undefeated Dominick Reyes next, where he looked more cautious than he has ever been. Meanwhile, Reyes was throwing everything but in the later rounds, it was Jones that decided to step the gas pedal. The fight ended in a controversial decision that some thought Reyes won.
Moving up to Heavyweight
A few months later, Jones decided to relinquish his title because he needed time to bulk up and try to attempt to capture his second division belt which is the heavyweights. Since making his announcement, he has not fought yet but will likely fight in 2022.
