Jon Jones | |
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![]() At the UFC 100 Fan Expo event in Las Vegas, July 2009 | |
Born | Jonathan D. Jones July 19, 1987 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
Other names | Bones |
Nationality | ![]() |
Height | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) |
Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) |
Division | Light Heavyweight |
Reach | 84.5 in (215 cm) |
Style | Wrestling, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Gaidojutsu |
Stance | Southpaw |
Fighting out of | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
Team | Jackson's Submission Fighting |
Years active | 2008–present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 13 |
Wins | 12 |
By knockout | 7 |
By submission | 3 |
By decision | 2 |
Losses | 1 |
By disqualification | 1 |
Other information | |
University | Iowa Central Community College |
Notable school(s) | Union-Endicott High School |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: February 16, 2011 |
Jonathan D. Jones (born July 19, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist. He currently fights as a light heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and initially trained with Team BombSquad out of Cortland, New York, then briefly with the Tristar Gym in Montreal, Canada and most recently started training at Jackson's Submission Fighting in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[1] He is described by UFC President Dana White as being one of the top 8 light heavyweight fighters in the world.[2] As of February 2011, Sherdog.com ranks Jones as the #5 light heavyweight fighter in the world.[3] He is noted for having the longest reach in UFC history at 84.5 in (215 cm).
Mixed martial arts career
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Jones' debut UFC fight was against Andre Gusmao at UFC 87 on August 9, 2008. Jones took the fight on three weeks notice as a late replacement for Tomasz Drwal. He put on an impressive performance using takedowns and displayed some unorthodox striking, such as spinning elbows and a spinning back kick. Even though he came into the fight widely regarded as a heavy underdog, Jones was rewarded with a unanimous decision victory.[4][5]
In his second fight, Jones fought veteran Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94 on January 31, 2009. Jones showed superior wrestling abilities and made Bonnar the victim of many strong takedowns and powerful throws including a suplex. Again showing unorthodox striking, Jones dropped Bonnar with a spinning back elbow in the first round. Although he appeared to tire in the third round, Jones held on to win another unanimous decision victory.[6][7]
His third fight was against Jake O'Brien at UFC 100[8] on July 11, 2009. Jones controlled the majority of the fight, preferring not to grapple and stuffing any takedown attempts from his opponent. Jones stayed on the outside, exercising his reach advantage and seemed to find his range toward the end of the first round with his right jab and high and low kicks. Midway through the second round Jones ducked and spun to deliver a spinning back elbow which skimmed the top of O'Brien's head and forced him into immediately grappling to try and regain composure. Jones capitalized on the flustered state of O'Brien by taking his neck and locking in a modified guillotine choke which rendered his opponent unconscious even after he tapped.
In September 2009, Jones signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.[9]
On December 5, 2009 Jones faced off against fellow light heavyweight prospect Matt Hamill at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale. Despite dominating the majority of the fight, Jones was disqualified[10] for the use of multiple 12-6 elbows. The unified rules of mixed martial arts prohibit downward elbow strikes, and Jones was initially only penalized a point from the round. However, because Hamill could not continue, Jones was disqualified for these strikes. Consequently, the tape was reviewed and showed that Jones' elbows further damaged Hamill's already bloody and partially broken nose.[11][12] This also marked the first time that Nevada has used its recently-enacted instant replay rule, in which the referee's decision was supported by the commission which utilized a slow motion replay to review the elbows. Some analysts thought Jones should have won the fight because Hamill could not continue due to a shoulder injury and not the illegal elbow(s) he threw.[13]
Jones fought Brandon Vera on March 21, 2010 at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones.[14] He won the fight by TKO (elbow) caused by an elbow to Vera's face followed up with punches in the first round.[15] The elbow delivered to stop the fight also broke Vera's face in three places.[16] Jones also won the Knockout of the Night award.
Jones defeated former IFL Light Heavyweight Champion Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO due to elbows in 1:52 of the first round on August 1, 2010 at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko.[17] UFC President Dana White promised Jones a "huge step-up in the competition", if he managed to defeat Matyushenko.[18]
Following the fight with Matyushenko, UFC President Dana White said, "Vladimir Matyushenko is a guy who I have a 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. To go in and do what he did to Vladimir Matyushenko, and make it look as easy as he did tonight, it cements it for me. This kid is one of the top eight in the world in that weight division. 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 badass. He's going to make a lot of money -- this kid is going to do very well. Right now in the 205-pound division, all these guys are fighting each other. When the smoke clears and the dust settles, Jon Jones will fight one of the top eight guys in the world for his next fight."[19]
After defeating Matyushenko, Jones has said that he next wants a "top-three opponent" for his next fight.[20]
Jones mentioned in an interview with ESPN that Dana White told him that with his one remaining fight on his contract he would be fighting the winner of Antônio Rogério Nogueira vs. Ryan Bader at UFC 119.[21] Reports that Jones had previously been offered a fight with Nogueira, but turned down the opportunity[22] turned out to be false.[23] Jones said White also told him that if he finishes his next two fights, he will probably get a title shot.
UFC president Dana White then confirmed that Jones will face undefeated Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader, on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126.[24] Jones went on to hand Bader his first professional loss by defeating him via tapout due to an guillotine choke in the second round. After dominating Bader in the first round, Jones was awarded the "Submission of the Night" bonus.
Following Jones' victory over Ryan Bader at UFC 126, it was announced that title contender Rashad Evans had sustained a knee injury in training, and would not be able to compete in his scheduled match with current UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua. Jones was told by Joe Rogan right after his bout had ended that the UFC wanted him to replace Evans in the fight for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Jones accepted and the fight is set for UFC 128.[25]
Personal life
Jon is engaged and has a daughter named Leah, who was born on July 11, 2008. He believes that being in a committed relationship helps him stay focused on his training.[26] The couple had their second daughter, Carmen Nicole Jones in December 2009.[27]
His brother, Arthur was selected with the 26th pick (157th overall) in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He is listed as a defensive tackle.[28] Jones's other brother, Chandler, is currently a defensive lineman at Syracuse.[29]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
- Submission of the Night (One time)
- FIGHT! Magazine
- 2009 Newcomer of the Year [30]
- Sherdog
- 2009 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
- World MMA Awards
- 2010 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
- JUCO National Wrestling Champion
- USKBA 205lb MMA Champion
Mixed martial arts record
13 matches | 12 wins | 1 loss |
By knockout | 7 | 0 |
By submission | 3 | 0 |
By decision | 2 | 0 |
By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
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UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones | March 19, 2011 | ![]() |
For UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. | |||||
Win | 12-1 | ![]() |
Submission (Modified Guillotine Choke) | UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort | February 5, 2011 | 2 | 4:20 | ![]() |
Submission of the Night |
Win | 11-1 | ![]() |
TKO (Elbows) | UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko | August 1, 2010 | 1 | 1:52 | ![]() |
|
Win | 10-1 | ![]() |
TKO (Elbows and Punches) | UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones | March 21, 2010 | 1 | 3:19 | ![]() |
Knockout of the Night |
Loss | 9-1 | ![]() |
DQ (Illegal Elbows) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale | December 5, 2009 | 1 | 4:14 | ![]() |
Jones was disqualified for illegal 12-to-6 elbow strikes. He was leading on all judges scorecards.[31] |
Win | 9–0 | ![]() |
Submission (Modified Guillotine Choke) | UFC 100 | July 11, 2009 | 2 | 2:43 | ![]() |
|
Win | 8–0 | ![]() |
Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2 | January 31, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | ![]() |
|
Win | 7–0 | ![]() |
Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 87: Seek and Destroy | August 9, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | ![]() |
UFC debut |
Win | 6–0 | ![]() |
TKO (Punches) | BCX 5 – Battle Cage Xtreme 5 | July 12, 2008 | 2 | 1:58 | ![]() |
|
Win | 5–0 | ![]() |
KO (Punch) | World Championship Fighting 3 | June 20, 2008 | 1 | 0:36 | ![]() |
|
Win | 4–0 | ![]() |
TKO (Punches) | USFL – War in the Woods 3 | May 9, 2008 | 1 | 2:58 | ![]() |
|
Win | 3–0 | ![]() |
Submission (Guillotine Choke) | IF – Ice Fighter | April 25, 2008 | 1 | 1:15 | ![]() |
|
Win | 2–0 | ![]() |
KO (Punches) | BCX 4 – Battle Cage Xtreme 4 | April 19, 2008 | 3 | 0:24 | ![]() |
|
Win | 1–0 | ![]() |
TKO (Punches) | FFP – Untamed 20 | April 12, 2008 | 1 | 1:32 | ![]() |
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