Jon Jones

Jon Jones, born on July 19, 1987, is a renowned American former professional mixed martial artist who made his mark in the sport from 2008 to 2024. Competing in both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he achieved remarkable success, becoming a two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and the UFC Heavyweight Champion from 2023 to 2025. His accolades also include being the interim UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in 2016, making him one of the few fighters to hold titles in two different weight classes.

Jones's career is highlighted by his record-setting achievements, including being the youngest champion in UFC history at the age of 23 when he defeated Maurício Rua. He holds numerous records in the light heavyweight division, such as the most title defenses, most wins, and the longest win streak. Additionally, he is the only fighter to have defeated five former UFC champions consecutively, and he spent an impressive 1,743 days as the UFC's #1 pound-for-pound fighter.

Despite his success, Jones's career has not been without controversy. Between 2015 and 2017, he faced several disciplinary issues that led to him being stripped of his title three times. His first major setback came in 2015 when he was arrested on felony hit-and-run charges, resulting in his removal from the official rankings. Although he returned to the octagon in 2016 and 2017, his victories were marred by positive tests for banned substances, leading to further suspensions.

After a three-year hiatus from MMA, Jones made a triumphant return in 2023, capturing the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane. He successfully defended this title against Stipe Miocic before announcing his retirement in 2025. Throughout his career, Jones has been widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, with his only professional loss being a controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill, a result that remains disputed.