“Believe in yourself. Believe in your heart and once you get there, don’t slow down”
- Jon JonesJon Jones is widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time who has dominated the UFC over the last decade. Famous as an unorthodox fighter not afraid to use the divisive “oblique kick”, Jones was #1 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings in 2019, and holds the records as the youngest champion in UFC history after his victory over Maurício Rua when he was 23 years old. His other record-breaking achievements include the most consecutive title defences and the longest winning streak.
Inducted into the prestigious Sherdog’s MMA Hall of Fame, he is also the first MMA fighter to represent Nike – who offered him the chance to develop his own line of shoes – and Gatorade. Born in Rochester, New York, Jones stood out as a wrestler at high school, also playing football. After dropping out of college to kick-start his MMA career, he made his MMA debut in spring 2008. After three years of consecutive wins, Jones made his mark when he became the youngest UFC Champion in history at the age of 23.
Jones has been involved in controversies outside of the ring, but has proved time and time again that he will always come back stronger. After his 2017 suspension was lifted, he quickly defeated Alexander Gustafsson to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. In 2020 Jones stated he was planning to move up to heavyweight on social media. Whatever the legendary fighter does next, he has already cemented his place among the all-time greats.
ESPN MMA’s Ariel Helwani sits down with Jon Jones at the Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico to preview his light heavyweight title fight vs. Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 and more, including: (3:01) improving his life because he felt he was throwing his greatness away, (7:31) overcoming the loss of his mother, (19:38) potentially moving up to heavyweight to fight Stipe Miocic after fighting Reyes, (22:38) his rivalry with Israel Adesanya and (32:33) how he initially got into MMA.
Win/Loss | Fighter | Event | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Win | vs. Dominick Reyes | UFC 247: Jones vs Reyes | Febuary 8, 2020 |
Win | vs. Thiago Santos | UFC 239: Jones vs Santos | July 6, 2019 |
Win | vs. Anthony Smith | UFC 235: Jones vs Smith | March 9, 2019 |
Win | vs. Alexender Gustafsson | UFC 232: Jones vs Gustafsson II | December 29, 2018 |
Win | vs. Daniel Cormier | UFC 214: Jon vs Cormier II | July 29, 2017 |
Win | vs. Ovince Saint Preux | UFC 197: Jones vs Saint Preux | Febuary 8, 2016 |
Win | vs. Daniel Cormier | UFC 182: Jones vs Cormier | January 3, 2015 |
Win | vs. Glover Teixiera | UFC 172: Jones vs Teixiera | April 26, 2014 |
Win | vs. Alexender Gustafsson | UFC 165: Jones vs Gustafsson | September 21, 2013 |
Win | vs. Chael Sonnen | UFC 159: Jones vs Sonnen | April 27, 2013 |
Win | vs. Vitor Belfort | UFC 152: Jones vs Belfort | September 22, 2012 |
Win | vs. Rashad Evans | UFC 145: Jones vs Evans | April 21, 2012 |
Win | vs. Lyoto Machida | UFC 140: Jones Machida | December 10, 2011 |
Win | vs. Quinton Jackson | UFC 135: Jones vs Rampage | September 24, 2011 |
Win | vs. Mauricio Rua | UFC 128: Shogun vs Jones | March 19, 2011 |
Win | vs. Ryan Bader | UFC 126 | Febuary 5, 2011 |
Win | vs. Vladmir Matyushenko | UFC Live | August 1, 2010 |
Win | vs. Brandon Vera | UFC Live | March 21, 2010 |
Loss | vs. Matt Hamil | UFC Finale | December 5, 2009 |
Win | vs. Jake O'Brian | UFC 100 | July 11, 2009 |
Win | vs. Stephan Bonner | UFC 94 | January 31 2009 |
Win | vs. Andre Gusmao | UFC 87: Seek and Destroy | August 9, 2008 |