Jon Jones: From College Wrestling Mat to UFC Champion
Jon Jones, widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, embarked on his athletic journey long before his UFC stardom. His foundation in wrestling, particularly his time at Iowa Central Community College, played a crucial role in shaping his skills and competitive spirit. This article explores Jones's wrestling background, his transition to MMA, and the key moments that defined his career.
Early Life and High School Wrestling
Jonathan Dwight Jones was born on July 19, 1987, in Rochester, New York. At the age of 10, he relocated with his family to the Binghamton area. Growing up, family life revolved around church, and Jones even sang in the church choir. His father Arthur is a pastor at Mount Sinai Church of God in Christ in Binghamton, New York.
Before making a name for himself in the world of mixed martial arts, Jones was a standout wrestler at Union-Endicott High School, where he earned the nickname "Bones." His earliest success came in Fargo, where he placed fifth in Cadet Greco at 189 pounds in 2003. That was the summer before his junior year, when he ended up placing third in the state at 189lbs. In 2005, he won a state title at 189 pounds for the Section IV school. That was the same year future NCAA champions Troy Nickerson, JP O'Connor and Gregor Gillespie also won NYSPHSAA titles.
After winning that state title, Jones made his way down to Virginia Beach for the NHSCA senior nationals. In a loaded field, Jones wound up fourth behind future NCAA champs Mike Pucillo, Jake Varner and Max Askren. It appears that tourney decided the ASICS All American team, as champ Pucillo made the first team, runner-up Varner was on the second team, and bronze Askren was chosen for the third team. Jones ended up as an honorable mention, along with the likes of Louis Caputo from Blue Springs, MO and Patrick Bond from Great Bridge, VA. The future UFC champ would beat both of them at NHSCAs. Bond ended up as a four-time NCAA qualifier for Illinois and Caputo was a two-time All American for Harvard.
Collegiate Wrestling at Iowa Central Community College
After graduating from Union-Endicott High School, Jones wrestled for Iowa Central Community College, one of the best JUCO teams in the country. In 2006, Jon claimed the 197-pound National Junior College Athletic Association wrestling title, leading Iowa Central Community College to the first of five consecutive team championships. He avenged his loss to Askren in the semis of the UNI Open in November. His final notable accomplishment in the sport came that spring, when he won an NJCAA individual title at 197lbs, in turn helping Iowa Central win the overall team championship as well.
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Reflecting on his early athletic endeavors, Jon's older brother Arthur, currently a defensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts, shared insights into Jon's work ethic. Arthur wrestled alongside his younger brother in high school and respected his sibling's efforts. "If you say Jon can't do it, he's going to prove you wrong," Arthur told USA TODAY Sports for The Des Moines Register. "He's a hard worker. He works for everything he's got. It's like that Drake song, 'Started from the bottom, now we're here.' He really did. He just worked so hard, and that's something he's done since we were little: outwork the competition."
Arthur remembered Jon wasn't necessarily gifted at every athletic endeavor he attempted. "In football, he wasn't the best player," Arthur said. "He couldn't catch a cold. They tried to find a position for him to play." Taking the field for New York's Union-Endicott High School, the future UFC light heavyweight champion eventually found himself alongside his brother on the defensive line. Jon wasn't a natural, but Arthur said his brother's efforts were eventually rewarded. "By his senior year, he got the team's 'Most Improved Player,'" Arthur remembered. "He played defensive end right next to me, and it was cool to be out there with him. He finally got to start his senior year. He was always willing to prove somebody wrong."
Transition to Mixed Martial Arts
Following his collegiate wrestling days, Jon looked for an opportunity to remain competitive, as well as to provide for his family. Some wrestlers end their competitive careers after high school or college, some continue on to the senior level, and others make their way into the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Jon Jones chose the latter for this career path. He found it in mixed martial arts, one of the world's fastest-growing sports. Competitors are asked to combine wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, boxing and other martial arts in an attempt to defeat their opponent by knockout, submission or decision.
Jon took quickly to the sport, earning a spot in the sport's premier organization, the UFC, after just four months as a professional. Three years later, he became the youngest champion in the history of the promotion. Jones made his professional MMA debut in April 2008. He amassed an undefeated record of 6-0 over a period of three months, finishing all of his opponents. Jones made his UFC debut against André Gusmão at UFC 87 on August 9, 2008. In his second UFC match, Jones took on veteran Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94 on January 31, 2009. Jones's third fight was against Jake O'Brien at UFC 100[62] on July 11, 2009.
On December 5, 2009, Jones fought fellow light heavyweight prospect Matt Hamill at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale. Jones used his wrestling to dominate Hamill, but was disqualified for the use of illegal 12-6 elbows. The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts prohibited downward elbow strikes, and Jones was initially only penalized a point from the round. However, Hamill was unable to continue due to his dislocated shoulder. Consequently, the replay simulation was reviewed, and showed that Jones's elbows further damaged Hamill's already bloody and lacerated nose.
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Jones fought Brandon Vera on March 21, 2010, at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones defeated former IFL Light Heavyweight Champion Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO with elbows in 1:52 of the first round on August 1, 2010, at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko.[75] Dana White promised Jones a "huge step-up in the competition", if he managed to defeat Matyushenko. Following the match with Matyushenko, White said, "Vladimir Matyushenko is a guy who I have a lot of respect for and I didn't think it was going to happen that easy. Jones is the real deal and he just catapulted himself tonight into the top eight in the world. Tonight solidified it. … He's got to keep his head together, stay focused and keep doing all the right things in training. He's smart, good looking and bad-ass. After defeating Matyushenko, Jones stated that he wanted a "top-three opponent" for his next fight. Jones mentioned in an interview with Inside MMA that he would be facing the winner of Antônio Rogério Nogueira vs. White soon confirmed that Jones would face the undefeated Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader, on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126. Jones handed Bader his first professional loss by defeating him via submission due to a guillotine choke in the second round after dominating Bader in the first round.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Immediately after the bout with Bader, it was revealed that title contender and Jones's training partner Rashad Evans had sustained a knee injury in training, and would not be able to compete in his scheduled match with UFC light heavyweight champion Maurício "Shogun" Rua. Jones was told by Joe Rogan in the post-fight interview that he would replace Evans in the fight for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. On March 19, 2011, at UFC 128, Jones defeated Rua by TKO at 2:37 of Round 3, becoming the youngest ever UFC champion. After an early flying knee that badly hurt the champion, Shogun was dominated throughout the three rounds.
Jones's first title defense was expected to be on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133 against Rashad Evans, his former friend and teammate, but Jones was sidelined with a hand injury. It was initially announced that the hand injury would require surgery, but Jones opted for rest and rehabilitation without surgery after further consultations with doctors. Jones's injury was originally thought to keep him out of action until late 2011, but he instead made his first title defense against Quinton Jackson on September 24, 2011, at UFC 135. Jones defeated Jackson via rear naked choke submission at 1:14 in the 4th round. In the process, he became the first UFC fighter to submit Jackson.
Championship Reign and Controversies
Jones was chosen to coach opposite Chael Sonnen on Season 17 of the Ultimate Fighter. Jones displayed a lack of interest in the bout and actively downplayed the contest, making it clear that he did not believe Sonnen was a fit contender. In an interview, Sonnen did his best to garner interest in the bout, but Jones gave him the "silent treatment", and refused to make eye contact. Jones made quick work of his challenger, finishing Sonnen via TKO in the first round. Jones faced Alexander Gustafsson on September 21, 2013, at UFC 165. Jones was badly cut above the eye during the first round, but he won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, and 49-46).
Jones was expected to take on Glover Teixeira on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169. However, on October 7, UFC President Dana White stated that the announcement for this fight on that card was premature and that Jones and Teixeira would face each other on a different card. On November 13, 2013, it was announced that Jones would fight Teixeira at UFC 170, scheduled for February 22, 2014; however, the next day it was announced that the match had been removed from the card. 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.
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On June 5, 2014, the UFC confirmed that the Jones vs. Gustafsson rematch would take place on September 27, 2014, at UFC 178. However, Gustafsson had to pull out of the match due to a torn meniscus. Jones was then expected to take on replacement Daniel Cormier at UFC 178. On August 12, 2014, it was announced that Jones had sustained a leg injury in training, causing him to withdraw. The bout was rescheduled, and eventually took place on January 3, 2015, at UFC 182. Jones won the fight by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, and 49-46). He also became the first person to take Cormier down, scoring three takedowns in total. The win also earned Jones his fourth Fight of the Night bonus award. It was later revealed that Jones had failed a drug test one month prior to the event, as he tested positive for cocaine.
While on the sidelines, Jones fought retired MMA veteran Dan Henderson in a grappling match for the Submission Underground 2 tournament on December 10, 2016. After an even start, Jones eventually submitted Henderson with an arm-triangle choke six minutes into the bout.
Second Championship Reign and Further Challenges
The rematch with Daniel Cormier took place on July 29, 2017, at UFC 214 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Jones won the fight and re-captured the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship via knockout in the third round. After the fight, Jones was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus. After the fight, Jones praised Cormier as a "model champion", while recognizing his own personal failings.
On August 22, it was announced that Jones had been flagged for a potential doping violation by USADA, stemming from his sample that was collected after weigh-ins July 28. He tested positive for Turinabol, an anabolic steroid. Jones was placed on a provisional suspension as a result. On September 13, USADA confirmed that both the "A" and "B" sample of Jones's tested positive for Turinabol. As a result, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) officially overturned the result of the fight to a no contest. In September 2018, it was announced by USADA that Jones would serve a suspension of 15 months.
In the first defense of his second championship reign, Jones faced Anthony Smith on March 2, 2019, in the main event at UFC 235. Jones dominated the fight, but was deducted two points in the fourth round after landing an illegal knee to Smith's head.
Jones was scheduled to defend his title against former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. However, Jones was forced to pull out due to injury after tearing a pectoral tendon. As a result, a bout for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall was scheduled for the event. Following his title defense against Miocic, Jones expressed disinterest in fighting interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall, instead calling out then UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira for a superfight.
Training and Coaching
Jones's training emphasizes versatility, strength, and technical mastery, ensuring he remains dominant. His regimen includes a combination of wrestling drills, striking practice, grappling sessions, and high-intensity functional training, all designed to enhance his overall fight game. To refine his striking and transitions, Jones incorporates pad work, sparring, and clinch drills into his routine. During training camps, Jones trains six days a week, balancing intense workouts with active recovery sessions. As the fight nears, he reduces the intensity to give his body time to fully recover. Jones previously served as a head coach opposite Chael Sonnen on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs.
Personal Life and Controversies Outside the Octagon
On March 19, 2011, Jones was en route to Great Falls Historic Park in Paterson, New Jersey, where he planned to meditate several hours ahead of his fight against Maurício "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128. He was accompanied by his coaches Mike Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson. As their driver prepared to drop them off, Jones observed an elderly couple screaming for help. The woman informed Winkeljohn that a man had smashed her car window and had run off with her GPS. In December 2019, Jones donated and handed out $20,000 worth of coats to homeless people in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2020, Jones founded the C.A.R.E.
Jones has faced criticism for repeatedly poking his opponents in the eyes. In response to the criticism, Jones released a video on Instagram in April 2014 in which he mocked fans by simulating crying and saying "Jones put his finger in his eye. When asked about the controversy, UFC president Dana White stated, "we've got to stop that stuff. The openings of the hands and putting the hands on the face are something bad, but it happens with guys who have reach. They do that a lot." White clarified his position in another interview, saying, "It's not just taller fighters. Jones has that range and he can do it, but lots of guys do it because that's how you block punches. So you keep your hands open and you slap punches down. Jones later said in an interview, "I realize that I do it. I realize the criticism that I got from it. It's not on purpose. If you watch my fights, it's me extending my arm in a reactionary way. I do put a hand on people's foreheads to maintain distance.
During a promotional event for UFC 178, on August 4, 2014, Jones and Daniel Cormier briefly scuffled during an on-stage staredown, initiated by Jones pressing his forehead against Cormier's forehead, prompting Cormier to shove Jones by the throat, to which Jones responded by throwing a punch. Both fighters were restrained by coaches and event organizers. Later that day during a press conference, Cormier expressed a desire to spit in Jones' face, to which Jones responded by threatening to kill Cormier. UFC chief legal officer Kirk Hendrick said "there are going to be ramifications".
On April 27, 2015, Albuquerque, New Mexico, police stated that Jones was sought in connection with a hit and run early the previous morning. Jones was alleged to have run a red light and crashed his rental car in a collision involving two other vehicles. Jones allegedly fled the scene of the crash on foot, leaving an injured pregnant woman behind in another vehicle. The incident was witnessed by an off-duty police officer who identified the suspect as an African-American man, wearing a white shirt and dark pants, whom he believed to be Jones. According to witnesses, the man described as Jones then returned to the scene to grab cash from the vehicle before fleeing again. Paperwork found in the rental car was under the name of "Jonathan Jones". An arrest warrant was issued against Jones, and surrender arrangements were made between law enforcement and Jones's lawyers. That evening, Jones turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department. Later that evening, he posted bail of $2,500 and left the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center. He made a court appearance on April 28 and did not enter a plea. The judge lifted any travel restrictions, and Jones was allowed to remain free, as long as he remained in contact with his lawyer and followed certain conditions. With a pending UFC fight still in his contract, UFC President Dana White and Zuffa owner Lorenzo Fertitta traveled to New Mexico from Las Vegas to meet with Jones in person. Sorry to everyone I've let down." On September 29, 2015, he pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was subsequently sentenced to up to 18 months of supervised probation. He was authorized to travel for work-related purposes.
In the early hours of September 24, 2021, a day after Jones was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his fight with Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165, police were called to the Caesars Palace resort hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, responding to a domestic incident. According to a police report obtained by news site MMA Fighting, a 9-1-1 call was made by a hotel security guard when Jones's youngest daughter requested help, saying there was a domestic incident between Jones and his fiancée, Jessie Moses. Police arrived, cutting Jones off as he was attempting to flee. When investigating the room, they observed Moses with blood on her face and clothing, and with a bump on her lip. Moses said that Jones had left the hotel to go out with friends, and when he returned, he became agitated and pulled her hair. She said that the hair pulling was the extent of the physicality between the two, and that the blood on her face and clothing was from chapped lips. She also declined a temporary protective orde…
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