Jon "Bones" Jones

The title of "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) is reserved for a select few athletes who transcend their sport regarding skill, legacy, and impact. Jon Jones is often hailed as one of the best fighters in MMA history, with many considering him the greatest of all time. However, his career is far from free of controversy, and his journey has been filled with significant roadblocks. So, how does a fighter with so much turbulence—inside and outside the cage—earn the honor of holding the GOAT title? Let's take a closer look at his career.

Born on July 19, 1987, in Rochester, New York, into a family with a strong athletic background. His father, Arthur Jones, was a pastor, and his mother, Camille Jones, worked in real estate. Jon had two brothers, Chandler and Arthur Jr., both of whom would later become professional athletes—Chandler played in the NFL, and Arthur Jr. is a successful defensive tackle in the NFL. Jon was the youngest of the three, and while the Jones family had its share of struggles, Jon would later say that his upbringing, though challenging, helped to mold his mindset for competition.

"I grew up with the mindset that I could do anything. I never thought there was a limit to what I could accomplish." - Jon Jones.

Growing up, Jon wasn’t initially interested in MMA or combat sports. He started wrestling in high school and quickly displayed a natural aptitude for the sport. He attended Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, New York, where he became a standout wrestler, eventually winning a New York state wrestling title. His high school success led him to Ithaca College, where he continued to develop his wrestling skills. However, Jon would leave college early to pursue a career in mixed martial arts due to his girlfriend getting pregnant.

Jon Jones's extraordinary talent quickly caught the attention of the MMA world. After just nine months of training, he had compiled an undefeated record of 6-0, which earned him a spot in the UFC, the biggest MMA organization in the world. In his UFC debut, Jones wasted no time showcasing his immense skill, proving to the promotion that their decision to sign him was smart.

"I knew I was destined for greatness. I always had a belief in myself that I could be the best, and when the UFC gave me that shot, I was ready to prove it." - Jon Jones.

Following that strong debut, Jones embarked on a three-fight win streak, but his rise to stardom wasn't without a setback. In a fight where he was dominating, Jones landed an illegal elbow, leading to a disqualification and the first loss on his record. Despite the controversy, Jones didn't back down. Instead, he quickly bounced back, going on another impressive three-fight winning streak, with victories over notable fighters like Ryan Bader and Brandon Vera.

This remarkable run earned him a title shot against Shogun Rua. At just 23 years old, Jones had the chance to make history by becoming the youngest UFC champion ever. He seized the opportunity spectacularly, delivering a dominant performance that secured him the title and cemented his place in UFC history as a dominant force.

Jon Jones would go on to dominate the light heavyweight division, defending his title eight times in a row. His reign was marked by victories over some of the greatest fighters in MMA history, including Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and Daniel Cormier, among others. Each of these opponents was a legend in their own right, but one rivalry, in particular, stood out: Daniel Cormier.

"I just feel like this is the beginning of something even bigger for me. I’ve been through so much with the negativity surrounding me, but now it’s time to show the world who I am. I’m the best in the world, and no one can take that away from me."- Jon Jones.

The animosity between Jones and Cormier was intense, rooted in both professional competition and personal animosity. Their rivalry was fueled by a series of heated exchanges, trash talk, and their contrasting personalities. However, the tension went far deeper for Cormier. The UFC champion had suffered a tragic personal loss when his daughter was killed by a driver under the influence of alcohol. Cormier, having experienced the pain of losing a loved one in such a senseless way, harbored deep resentment towards Jones, especially given Jon's repeated legal issues and instances of reckless behavior, including drug use, a DUI, hit-and-run accidents, and his well-documented struggle with alcohol addiction.

"I've made a lot of mistakes, but I'm not a bad person. I’ve learned a lot from my failures, and I’m trying to be better every day. I don't want to be defined by my mistakes; I want to be defined by how I rise above them."- Jon Jones.

For Cormier, Jones’s actions were more than just frustrating—they were a painful reminder of the tragedy that had forever altered his life. The hatred he felt towards Jones went beyond sports. He saw Jon as a symbol of everything he despised: someone who squandered his talent and opportunity through reckless, irresponsible behavior. No matter what happened in the cage, the animosity between the two would never fade, with Cormier viewing Jones as the embodiment of everything wrong with the sport.

This bitter rivalry reached its peak when the two faced off in two high-stakes bouts—UFC 182 and UFC 214—the latter of which ended in controversy after Jones tested positive for banned substances, leading to his temporary suspension and the stripping of his title. Despite the back-and-forth in their careers, Cormier’s hatred for Jones remained palpable, making their rivalry one of the most intense in MMA history.

"I don’t dislike Daniel Cormier as a person, but I do dislike him as a competitor. He’s been trying to take something from me, and I’m not going to let that happen."- Jon Jones.

From 2011 to 2020, the light heavyweight division was largely defined by the fierce rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, with Jones dominating the division for nearly a decade. However, after facing multiple suspensions and personal challenges, Jones decided to move up to the heavyweight division. Following a three-year hiatus from the octagon, many wondered if the now 36-year-old Jones still had what it took to compete at the highest level. His return came in March 2023, when he faced Ciryl Gane, the top-ranked heavyweight at the time, for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship. In a dominant statement, Jones finished Gane in just two minutes, proving that his skills were as sharp as ever and solidifying his claim as the greatest of all time. In his first title defense, Jones faced Stipe Miocic, widely considered the greatest heavyweight in UFC history, and once again displayed his unmatched dominance by finishing Miocic in the third round, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Although Jon Jones’s career has been marred by controversies, there’s no denying that he is one of the greatest of all time. UFC President Dana White has often stated that if you put any fighter in a room with Jon Jones, he’ll walk out of there every time—such is his undeniable talent and dominance. Jones’s ability to defeat the best of the best, regardless of the obstacles he's faced, underscores his greatness in the sport, earning him the respect of even his harshest critics. He’s simply that good.

" Last thing, Baa! (goat noises)" - Jon Jones after winning the heavyweight championship