Jon Jones, the most controversial GOAT in the history of sport: legend of the UFC as hero and villain

For over 15 years, Jon Jones was the UFC’s most talented fighter... and maybe its biggest problem. And now that career is officially over.

A look at the UFC life of Jon Jones

He entered the octagon in 2008 as a wiry 21-year-old and two years later became the youngest champion in UFC history at just 23. His title win against Shogun Rua felt like the start of a reign that might never end. Physically dominant, tactically genius, Jones looked untouchable. And in many ways, he was. But the fight outside the cage would be the real war.

Jones’ career is littered with brilliance and breakdowns. He defended his belt a record number of times, returned from multiple suspensions to win again, and even moved up to heavyweight in 2023 – beating Ciryl Gane in just over two minutes to claim a second UFC title. But in between those milestones, the setbacks piled up: a DUI crash in a Bentley, a hit-and-run on a pregnant woman, failed drug tests, domestic violence charges, and a string of controversies with the Nevada commission, USADA... oh, and Dana White himself.

Even victories couldn’t escape drama. His 2017 knockout of Daniel Cormier, for example, was overturned due to steroid use. One foot just always seemed to be outside the rules.

Most recently, Jones was accused of assaulting a drug tester in his New Mexico home and didn’t fight again after November 2024. Fans demanded a showdown with Tom Aspinall, but as we now know, Jones has, uncharacteristically, quietly walked away in June 2025. UFC president Dana White made it official: “Jon Jones is retired.”

Read the full timeline of Jones’ career in Jeff Wagenheim’s ESPN profile.

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