Over the course of his profession, Jon has damaged many information. As of 2020, he has by no means been knocked out and he at all times wins fights that go to the judges. His solely loss got here when he was controversially disqualified towards Matt Hamill. Whereas Jon Jones has had loads of vivid moments throughout his profession as knowledgeable fighter, controversial moments proceed to hamper his fame. After a variety of authorized points and failed drug exams, Jones got here to be seen as a considerably unsavory character throughout the sport of combined martial arts.
Early Life: Jonathan Dwight Jones was born on July nineteenth of 1987 in Rochester, New York. Raised alongside three siblings by a father who was a pastor. All of his brothers went on to turn out to be skilled soccer gamers, and his father did not assist Jon’s determination to turn out to be knowledgeable fighter. Throughout his time in highschool, Jon Jones grew to become an lively member of the highschool wrestling group and have become state champion.
He earned his now-famous nickname after becoming a member of the varsity soccer group. As a result of his skinny physique, his soccer coach known as him “bones,” and the title caught. After graduating from highschool, Jones attended Iowa Central Neighborhood School however rapidly dropped out to pursue a profession in MMA.
Profession: Jon Jones’ first struggle within the UFC was in 2008. Controversy got here in 2009 when Jones was disqualified for utilizing downward elbow strikes towards Matt Hamill. Dana White and varied different observers acknowledged that the choice ought to have been a “no contest” as an alternative of a loss for Jones. In 2011, he defeated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and have become the youngest-ever UFC champion at age 24. In 2012, he controversially refused to struggle Chael Sonnen, who had stepped in on the final minute to switch the injured Dan Henderson. In consequence, UFC 145 was canceled and White criticized Jones for inflicting everybody concerned to lose critical quantities of cash.
After a traditional match towards Alexander Gustaffson, Jones was scheduled to struggle Daniel Cormier however was suspended as a result of a failed drug check. Jones finally returned to beat Daniel Cormier, however was stripped of his victory and suspended as soon as once more after one other drug testing violation. He finally returned to the UFC in 2018 and continued to point out glorious kind.
Model Endorsements: Jon Jones was the primary MMA fighter to be sponsored by Nike internationally. Jones now has his personal shoe line and an extra sponsorship cope with Gatorade. He was as soon as sponsored by Reebok and MuscleTech, though the model lower ties with Jon after a hit-and-run incident in 2015.
Relationships: Jon Jones’ longtime girlfriend and fiancee is Jessie Moses. Collectively, they’ve three daughters. In some interviews, Jones has alluded to a fourth little one that he had previous to his relationship with Moses.
Criticism of Combating Type: On many events, Jones has been criticized for poking individuals within the eye. On quite a few events, Jon appears to have intentionally poked his opponents within the eyes by extending his open hand outwards so as to block incoming punches. Sluggish-motion footage appears to recommend that the strikes are deliberate, though Jones and different observers have claimed that it is a purely instinctual, reactionary reflex. However, Dana White has referenced incidents involving Jon and whereas he did not accuse him of wrongdoing, the UFC president did say that “it must cease.”
Daniel Cormier Incident: Throughout an on-stage staredown, Jon Jones leaned in and touched his brow to Daniel Cormier, sparking a short scuffle that resulted in shoves and punches. The 2 fighters have been rapidly separated, however Jones was fined $50,000 by the Nevada Athletic Fee. He was additionally sentenced to 40 hours of group service.
Authorized Points: In 2012, Jon was charged with a DUI after crashing right into a pole. In 2015, Jones fled the scene of a visitors collision, abandoning his rental automotive after working a crimson mild. The ensuing crash resulted in a pregnant lady turning into injured. Though he was initially needed for questioning and will have been charged with a easy misdemeanor, costs towards the UFC fighter have been elevated to felonies associated to purposely leaving the scene of an accident. He later surrendered to the police and was launched on bail. Because of the incident, he was stripped of his UFC title. He was finally sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation.
In 2019, Jones was charged with battery, allegedly assaulting a waitress and touching her with out her permission. In 2020, police heard gunshots and found Jon drunk as soon as once more behind the wheel of a automotive. Additionally they found a handgun in his possession. He was charged with aggravated DWI and negligent use of a firearm. He was sentenced to 4 days of home arrest consequently.
Drug Testing Controversies: In 2015, Jon “Bones” Jones failed his first drug check. Nevertheless, he solely examined constructive for cocaine, which meant that he might nonetheless technically compete in UFC 182 if subsequent outcomes got here again clear – which they did. Nevertheless, Jones examined constructive for performance-enhancing medication in 2016, together with an anti-oestrogen substance and an aromatase inhibitor. Each substances are banned for UFC fighters, and Jon was handed a one-year suspension – though a panel determined that he took the medication unintentionally.
In 2017, the identical conclusion was reached when Jones examined constructive for anabolic steroids. Nevertheless, he was nonetheless stripped of his prior victory towards Cormier and his UFC title. As well as, he was given a 15-month suspension. In 2018, Jones returned to the UFC as soon as once more – solely to check constructive as soon as once more for hint quantities of anabolic steroids. It was decided that these have been hint quantities nonetheless current from the 2017 check, and no disciplinary motion was taken towards the fighter.
Actual Property: In 2017, it was reported that Jon Jones was promoting his residence in Ithaca with a listed worth of $750,000. He initially bought the 4,400-square-foot property in 2011 whereas coaching within the space, and it rapidly grew to become an pointless expense when he moved to different coaching places.
