Jon Jones, arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in MMA, and the most decorated light heavyweight champion in UFC history is back. Following years of rumours and setbacks, the waiting is finally over for fight fans.

After current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou vacated his title and became a free agent, UFC president Dana White announced that Jones was set to meet Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight title on March 4th in the main event of UFC 285.

Despite Jones lengthy absence from the sport, the latest UFC fight night odds have him as the favourite to lift the title in front of a packed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Last Fight

Jones hasn’t fought since his victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 on February 8th, 2020. The bout lasted five rounds and Jones won by a unanimous decision, successfully defending the light-heavyweight title he first won in 2018 at UFC 232.

‘Bones’ subsequently vacated the belt in early 2020 in anticipation of a move up to heavyweight. After years of speculation, he was finally going to commit to taking a step up in weight and attempt to write his name in UFC history.

Set Backs

Over the years, Jones has seen his legacy undermined with incidents outside the cage overshadowing his considerable achievements inside it. In December 2021, a plea deal with prosecutors in Nevada saw a domestic violence charge against him dismissed, but the troubled fighter’s misdemeanours don’t end there.

He was banned from his training home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has had several high-profile, and public, fallings out with UFC and president Dana White. His rap sheet also includes a DUI, DWI, hit-and-run, and battery conviction, plus three failed drug tests in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Career Record

Jones has 26 wins to his name with an impressive 62% finish rate, including 10 by knockout, 6 by submission, and 10 by decision. His only ‘defeat’ was a controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill in 2009.

He is a two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, and also briefly held the interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. He also broke several light heavyweight UFC records along the way, including the most title defences, most wins, longest winning streak, and the youngest champion in UFC history.

If that wasn’t enough, ‘Bones’ has never been stopped or outscored during his career and is widely regarded as one of the best-ever UFC pound-for-pound fighters.

Career Highlights

So, how did Jones become the all-conquering fighter he is today? 

2008: Jones vs Brad Bernard

Jones burst onto the scene on the main card of Untamed 20, with his professional debut coming against Brad Bernard. He defeated Bernard by KO/TKO only 1:32 into Round 1 and he hasn’t looked back since.

2008: Jones vs Andre Gusamo

Only four months after making his MMA debut, Jones makes his debut in the UFC with a fight against Andre Gusmao at UFC 87. He won with a unanimous decision in round 3. 

2011: Jones vs Mauricio Rua

Following a string of victories, Jones got his first shot at a world title with a fight against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128. Jones won by TKO to become the youngest light-heavyweight champion in UFC history, aged only 23.

2013: Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson

In what is still considered to be one of the greatest ever title fights in UFC history, Jones was taken all the way by a gutsy performance from Gustafsson. The fight came down to the final round, with the challenger giving Jones biggest test of his career to date.

A unanimous decision for Jones saw him break Tito Ortiz’s UFC record for most consecutive light-heavyweight title defences.


2015: Jones vs Cormier 

Jones and former Olympic Wrestler Cormier are two of the biggest rivals in the UFC, with their animosity stretching back to 2010 when the pair met backstage at UFC 121. Five years later the pair met in what has a highly anticipated grudge match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Jones won the fight via a unanimous decision.

2017: Jones vs Cormier 2

The highly anticipated rematch at UFC 214 in Anaheim, California, saw Jones put on a masterful display as he defeated Cormier by third-round knockout with a head kick in the third round.

However, a failed drugs test saw the California State Athletic Commission overturn Jones’s win and change it to a no-contest. Jones was later stripped of his title and Cormier was reinstated as the champion.

2018: Jones vs Gustafsson 2

The long-awaited UFC 232 rematch between Jones and Gustafsson took place at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Jones defeated Gustafsson via TKO at 2:02 of round three to retain his title.

2020: Jones vs Dominick Reyes

Jones last fight saw him successfully defend his light-heavyweight title with a unanimous decision over Reyes. But with two years having passed since his last fight and a step up in weight, Jones will be facing arguably his toughest-ever test against Frenchman Ciryl Gane.

Can Jones claim the heavyweight title and prove himself the undisputed pound-for-pound fighter the MMA has ever seen? We’re about to find out.