Career Timeline of Jon Jones: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Jon Jones built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jon Jones is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's Heavyweight division, where he is the reigning champion. Previously a dominant Light Heavyweight Champion, holding the title from 2011-2015 and 2018-2020 (also interim champion in 2016), Jones is widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. As of November 19, 2024, he is ranked #2 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

January 2008: Jones Competes in Grappling Matches

In January 2008, Jones participated in the Northeastern Grappler's Challenge, submitting Doug Fournet twice with a Kimura.

April 2008: Professional MMA Debut

In April 2008, Jon Jones made his professional MMA debut and amassed a 6-0 record in three months, finishing all opponents.

August 9, 2008: UFC Debut

On August 9, 2008, Jon Jones made his UFC debut against André Gusmão at UFC 87 and won via unanimous decision.

2008: Professional MMA Debut

In 2008, Jon Jones started his professional MMA career.

January 31, 2009: Victory Against Stephan Bonnar

On January 31, 2009, Jon Jones fought Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94, securing takedowns and winning by unanimous decision.

July 11, 2009: Victory Against Jake O'Brien

On July 11, 2009, Jon Jones fought Jake O'Brien at UFC 100, controlling the match and winning via a modified guillotine choke.

September 2009: New UFC Contract

In September 2009, Jon Jones signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC after a series of victories.

December 5, 2009: Disqualification Loss to Matt Hamill

On December 5, 2009, Jon Jones fought Matt Hamill at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale and was disqualified for using illegal 12-6 elbows.

2009: Jones begins training at Jackson Wink MMA gym

In 2009, Jon Jones began training at Jackson Wink MMA gym under coach Mike Winkeljohn, marking a key step in his career development.

March 21, 2010: TKO Victory Against Brandon Vera

On March 21, 2010, Jon Jones fought Brandon Vera at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones, winning by TKO in the first round and earning the "Knockout of the Night" award.

August 1, 2010: TKO Victory Against Vladimir Matyushenko

On August 1, 2010, Jon Jones defeated Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko in the first round.

February 5, 2011: Submission Victory Against Ryan Bader

On February 5, 2011, Jon Jones defeated Ryan Bader by submission due to a guillotine choke at UFC 126, earning the "Submission of the Night" bonus.

March 19, 2011: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

On March 19, 2011, Jon Jones defeated Maurício 'Shogun' Rua by TKO at UFC 128, becoming the youngest ever UFC champion.

August 6, 2011: Title Defense Sidelined by Injury

On August 6, 2011, Jon Jones was expected to have his first title defense against Rashad Evans at UFC 133, but the fight was sidelined due to a hand injury.

September 24, 2011: Victory Against Quinton Jackson

On September 24, 2011, Jon Jones defeated Quinton Jackson via rear naked choke submission at UFC 135.

December 10, 2011: Victory Against Lyoto Machida

On December 10, 2011, Jon Jones defended the light heavyweight title at UFC 140, stopping Lyoto Machida via guillotine choke technical submission.

2011: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

In 2011, Jon Jones became the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

April 21, 2012: Victory Against Rashad Evans

On April 21, 2012, Jon Jones fought and won against Rashad Evans at UFC 145 via unanimous decision.

September 22, 2012: Victory Against Vitor Belfort

On September 22, 2012, Jon Jones defended the championship against Vitor Belfort at UFC 152.

April 27, 2013: TKO Victory Against Chael Sonnen

On April 27, 2013, Jon Jones defeated Chael Sonnen via TKO at UFC 159, tying Tito Ortiz for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC light heavyweight history.

September 21, 2013: Victory Against Alexander Gustafsson

On September 21, 2013, Jon Jones fought Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 and won via unanimous decision, earning the Fight of the Night bonus award.

November 13, 2013: Jones vs Teixeira Card

On November 13, 2013, it was announced that Jon Jones would fight Teixeira at UFC 170, scheduled for February 22, 2014.

December 4, 2013: Jones and Teixeira at UFC 171

On December 4, 2013, it was announced that Jones and Teixeira would face each other at UFC 171 on March 15, 2014, in Dallas, Texas; however, the fight was moved again.

February 1, 2014: Initial Date for Teixeira Fight

On February 1, 2014, Jon Jones was initially expected to fight Glover Teixeira at UFC 169, but the announcement was premature.

February 22, 2014: Fight Removed from the Card

On February 22, 2014, the match had been removed from the card.

March 15, 2014: Fight Moved Again

On March 15, 2014, Jones and Teixeira fight was moved again.

April 26, 2014: Victory Against Glover Teixeira

On April 26, 2014, Jon Jones fought Glover Teixeira at UFC 172, and won the bout via unanimous decision.

April 27, 2014: UFC President confirms Jones-Gustafsson Rematch

On April 27, 2014, Dana White confirmed that Jones would have a rematch against Gustafsson, suggesting it could take place in a stadium in Sweden.

June 5, 2014: Jones vs. Gustafsson Rematch Confirmed

On June 5, 2014, the UFC officially scheduled the Jones vs. Gustafsson rematch for September 27, 2014, at UFC 178.

August 12, 2014: Jones Injured, Fight Postponed

On August 12, 2014, Jones withdrew from the scheduled fight due to a leg injury sustained during training, leading to a rescheduling of the bout.

December 16, 2014: Jones Signs Sponsorship Deal with Reebok

On December 16, 2014, Jones announced that he had signed a sponsorship deal with Reebok.

April 29, 2015: Reebok Terminates Sponsorship with Jones

On April 29, 2015, Reebok terminated their sponsorship with Jones following his involvement in a hit-and-run incident.

May 23, 2015: Jones Removed from UFC 187

Jones was expected to defend his title against Anthony Johnson on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187, but was stripped of the belt and suspended from the UFC indefinitely.

October 23, 2015: Jones Reinstated to Active Roster

On October 23, 2015, the UFC announced Jon Jones had been reinstated to the active roster, after his suspension.

2015: End of First Title Reign

In 2015, Jon Jones' first reign as the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion concluded.

April 23, 2016: Jones defeats Saint Preux at UFC 197

On April 23, 2016, Jones defeated Ovince Saint Preux by unanimous decision at UFC 197.

July 6, 2016: Jones Removed from UFC 200

On July 6, 2016, Jon Jones was removed from the UFC 200 bout by USADA due to a potential doping violation.

October 2016: Jones Participates in NAGA Tournament

In October 2016, Jones competed in the NAGA no-gi grappling tournament after being called out by fans, winning his matches with various chokeholds.

November 7, 2016: Jones Suspended by USADA

On November 7, 2016, Jones was suspended for one year by USADA, retroactive to July 7.

December 10, 2016: Jones Submits Henderson

On December 10, 2016, Jon Jones defeated Dan Henderson in a grappling match at Submission Underground 2, submitting him with an arm-triangle choke.

2016: Victory against Ovince Saint Preux

In 2016, Jon Jones emerged victorious against Ovince Saint Preux, but the victory was cut short by Jones testing positive for banned substances and receiving further suspensions.

2016: Interim Championship

In 2016, Jon Jones was the interim UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

July 29, 2017: Jones Defeats Cormier at UFC 214

On July 29, 2017, Jones defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, recapturing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship via knockout and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

September 2018: Jones Receives Suspension of 15 Months

In September 2018, USADA announced that Jones would serve a suspension of 15 months due to anti-doping offences, reduced from a potential 48 months due to cooperation.

October 10, 2018: Jones Returns at UFC 232

On October 10, 2018, it was announced that Jones would return at UFC 232 on December 29, 2018, in a rematch with Alexander Gustafsson.

October 28, 2018: Jones becomes eligible to fight again

On October 28, 2018, Jon Jones became eligible to fight again after serving a suspension. He was scheduled to fight Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232.

December 29, 2018: Jones Wins UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

On December 29, 2018, Jones defeated Alexander Gustafsson by technical knockout in the third round to win the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

2018: Second Title Reign

In 2018, Jon Jones began his second reign as the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

2018: Championship Reclaimed

In 2018, Jon Jones reclaimed the championship by defeating Alexander Gustafsson after his 2017 suspension was lifted.

March 2, 2019: Jones Defeats Anthony Smith at UFC 235

On March 2, 2019, Jones defeated Anthony Smith via unanimous decision at UFC 235, although he was deducted two points for an illegal knee.

July 6, 2019: Jones Defends Title Against Thiago Santos

On July 6, 2019, Jones defended his title against Thiago Santos at UFC 239, winning by split decision.

2019: Attempt to Overturn Loss

In 2019, Dana White mentioned he was still attempting to have Jon Jones's loss to Matt Hamill overturned to a no contest.

February 8, 2020: Jones Defeats Dominick Reyes at UFC 247

On February 8, 2020, Jones defeated Dominick Reyes via a controversial unanimous decision at UFC 247, setting a new record for most wins in UFC title fights.

May 2020: Jones Disputes with Dana White

In May 2020, Jones had a conflict with UFC President Dana White over pay, leading him to consider vacating his title and targeting a fight with Francis Ngannou.

August 15, 2020: Jones Relinquishes Light Heavyweight Championship

On August 15, 2020, Jon Jones announced he would be relinquishing the Light Heavyweight Championship and moving up to heavyweight.

2020: Title Vacated

In 2020, Jon Jones vacated the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

March 4, 2023: Jones Wins UFC Heavyweight Championship

On March 4, 2023, after over three years away, Jones defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 to win the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship via a guillotine choke, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

November 11, 2023: Jones Withdraws from UFC 295 Due to Injury

On November 11, 2023, Jones was scheduled to defend his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 but had to withdraw due to a torn pectoral tendon injury.

2023: UFC Heavyweight Championship

In 2023, Jon Jones returned to MMA after three years and won the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Ciryl Gane.

November 16, 2024: Jones wins Fight by TKO

On November 16, 2024, Jones won the fight by technical knockout via a spinning back kick followed by punches in the third round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.