Jon Jones is a professional mixed martial artist widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in the sport. His professional record stands at 28 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no contest. Throughout his career, which spans from 2008 to 2024, Jones has captured titles in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

The following breakdown provides a detailed look at his statistics, the controversy surrounding his lone loss, and a chronological history of his performances inside the Octagon.

Professional Record Overview

The official professional record for Jon "Bones" Jones reflects near-total dominance over two decades of high-level competition.

  • Total Fights: 30
  • Total Wins: 28
  • Losses: 1 (via Disqualification)
  • No Contests: 1

Methods of Victory

Jones is known for his versatility, possessing the ability to finish fights on the feet or on the ground. His 28 wins are distributed as follows:

  • Knockout/TKO: 11 (39%)
  • Submission: 7 (25%)
  • Decision: 10 (36%)

His high finishing rate in championship bouts distinguishes him from many other long-reigning titleholders who often trend toward conservative decision wins later in their careers.

The Matt Hamill Disqualification

The "1" on Jon Jones's loss record is a subject of perpetual debate within the MMA community. On December 5, 2009, at the The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale, Jones faced Matt Hamill.

During the bout, Jones secured a takedown and transitioned into a dominant mounted position. He proceeded to land a series of heavy elbows. However, the referee stopped the action and disqualified Jones for the use of "12-to-6" downward elbows. At that time, the Unified Rules of MMA prohibited strikes that traveled in a strictly vertical downward motion (from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock).

Despite Jones being seconds away from a TKO victory, the DQ remains the only official loss on his record. UFC President Dana White and many analysts have frequently argued that the result should have been overturned to a No Contest or a win for Jones, especially since Hamill was unable to continue due to a shoulder injury sustained during a legal takedown rather than the illegal strikes themselves.

The Heavyweight Title Reign (2023–2024)

After a three-year hiatus to physically transition from light heavyweight to heavyweight, Jones returned at UFC 285 in March 2023. This move was designed to cement his status as the "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT) by capturing a second divisional belt.

UFC 285: Jones vs. Ciryl Gane

Jones faced former interim champion Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title. The fight lasted only 2 minutes and 4 seconds. Jones utilized his wrestling pedigree to close the distance, dragged Gane to the fence, and secured a guillotine choke. This victory made him the 18th heavyweight champion in UFC history.

UFC 309: Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

On November 16, 2024, Jones defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, often cited as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history. Jones displayed a masterclass in striking and grappling, eventually stopping Miocic via TKO in the third round at 4:29. This victory reaffirmed his dominance even at a higher weight class and against elite, larger opposition.

Light Heavyweight Records and Statistics

Before moving to heavyweight, Jones established a legendary resume at 205 pounds. He became the youngest champion in UFC history at age 23 when he defeated Maurício "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128.

Key Light Heavyweight Statistics

  • Total Title Fight Wins: 15 (UFC Record)
  • Title Defenses in First Reign: 8 successful defenses.
  • Significant Strike Defense: 64%, reflecting his ability to use his 84.5-inch reach to stay out of danger.
  • Takedown Defense: A staggering 95%, making him one of the hardest fighters to bring to the canvas in MMA history.

The No Contest against Daniel Cormier

At UFC 214 on July 29, 2017, Jones knocked out his rival Daniel Cormier in the third round to regain the light heavyweight title. However, the result was later overturned to a "No Contest" after Jones tested positive for a prohibited substance. While Jones has maintained his innocence regarding intentional ingestion, the official record reflects the NC rather than a knockout win.

Complete Fight-by-Fight Record History

Below is the chronological list of Jon Jones's professional MMA bouts, detailing the progression of his career from regional circuits to global superstardom.

Date Opponent Event Result Method Round Time
Nov 16, 2024 Stipe Miocic UFC 309 Win TKO (Strikes) 3 4:29
Mar 4, 2023 Ciryl Gane UFC 285 Win Submission (Guillotine) 1 2:04
Feb 8, 2020 Dominick Reyes UFC 247 Win Decision (Unanimous) 5 5:00
Jul 6, 2019 Thiago Santos UFC 239 Win Decision (Split) 5 5:00
Mar 2, 2019 Anthony Smith UFC 235 Win Decision (Unanimous) 5 5:00
Dec 29, 2018 Alexander Gustafsson UFC 232 Win TKO (Strikes) 3 2:02
Jul 29, 2017 Daniel Cormier UFC 214 NC Overturned 3 3:01
Apr 23, 2016 Ovince Saint Preux UFC 197 Win Decision (Unanimous) 5 5:00
Jan 3, 2015 Daniel Cormier UFC 182 Win Decision (Unanimous) 5 5:00
Apr 26, 2014 Glover Teixeira UFC 172 Win Decision (Unanimous) 5 5:00
Sep 21, 2013 Alexander Gustafsson UFC 165 Win Decision (Unanimous) 5 5:00
Apr 27, 2013 Chael Sonnen UFC 159 Win TKO (Strikes) 1 4:33
Sep 22, 2012 Vitor Belfort UFC 152 Win Submission (Keylock) 4 0:54
Apr 21, 2012 Rashad Evans UFC 145 Win Decision (Unanimous) 5 5:00
Dec 10, 2011 Lyoto Machida UFC 140 Win Submission (Guillotine) 2 4:26
Sep 24, 2011 Quinton Jackson UFC 135 Win Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 4 1:14
Mar 19, 2011 Maurício Rua UFC 128 Win TKO (Strikes) 3 2:37
Feb 5, 2011 Ryan Bader UFC 126 Win Submission (Guillotine) 2 4:20
Aug 1, 2010 Vladimir Matyushenko UFC on Versus 2 Win TKO (Strikes) 1 1:52
Mar 21, 2010 Brandon Vera UFC on Versus 1 Win TKO (Strikes) 1 3:19
Dec 5, 2009 Matt Hamill TUF 10 Finale Loss DQ (Illegal Elbows) 1 4:14
Jul 11, 2009 Jake O'Brien UFC 100 Win Submission (Guillotine) 2 2:43
Jan 31, 2009 Stephan Bonnar UFC 94 Win Decision (Unanimous) 3 5:00
Aug 9, 2008 André Gusmão UFC 87 Win Decision (Unanimous) 3 5:00

(Note: Prior to UFC 87, Jones amassed a 6-0 record on the regional circuit within a four-month span in 2008, finishing all six opponents via TKO or Submission.)

Technical Performance Analysis

Looking beyond the wins and losses, the underlying stats of Jon Jones's record reveal a fighter who excels in every phase of the game.

Striking Accuracy and Volume

Jones lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy of 59%. His striking is categorized by a heavy focus on the head (49%), followed by leg kicks (27%) and body strikes (24%). His use of the "oblique kick" (a push kick to the opponent's knee) has become a staple of his long-range defense, frequently neutralizing aggressive strikers before they can enter his pocket.

Grappling and Takedowns

With a collegiate wrestling background from Iowa Central Community College, Jones has maintained a 46% takedown accuracy. More impressively, he has successfully defended 95% of all takedown attempts made against him. Even Olympic-level wrestlers like Daniel Cormier struggled to keep Jones on the ground, a feat that is a cornerstone of his undefeated-in-spirit reputation.

Fight Time and Endurance

Jones has an average fight time of 14:52. He has gone the full 25-minute championship distance 10 times. His ability to maintain a high pace in the fourth and fifth rounds was most evident in his first fight against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165, which is now inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing. In that bout, Jones absorbed significant damage but rallied in the final minutes to secure the judges' cards.

Comparison with Other MMA Legends

To understand the weight of Jon Jones's 28-1 record, it is helpful to compare his title fight metrics with other prominent champions.

  • Most Wins in Title Fights: Jones holds the record with 15 wins.
  • Longest Unbeaten Streak: Jones holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak in UFC history (19 fights).
  • Division Dominance: He held the light heavyweight belt across two separate reigns (2011–2015 and 2018–2020), vacating it voluntarily to pursue the heavyweight crown.

Summary of Jon Jones's Legacy

Jon Jones's record is defined not just by the quantity of wins, but the quality of the opposition. His resume includes victories over five former UFC champions (Rua, Jackson, Machida, Evans, and Belfort) in a consecutive run, a feat unmatched in the sport.

While the disqualification against Matt Hamill and the drug testing issues resulting in a No Contest remain parts of his official record, his performance inside the cage has consistently been at a level that most analysts consider the gold standard for mixed martial arts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times has Jon Jones lost? Officially, Jon Jones has lost once. This loss occurred via disqualification for illegal elbows against Matt Hamill in 2009. He has never been knocked out, submitted, or defeated by a judge's decision in professional MMA.

What is Jon Jones's current UFC record? His official UFC record is 28-1-0 with 1 No Contest.

Why was Jon Jones's win over Daniel Cormier overturned? The win at UFC 214 was overturned to a No Contest by the California State Athletic Commission after Jones tested positive for Turinabol, an anabolic steroid. Jones was subsequently stripped of the title.

Has Jon Jones ever been knocked down? In over 15 years of professional fighting, Jon Jones has rarely been visibly rocked or officially credited with a knockdown against him. His chin and defensive striking are considered among the best in history.

What is the "12-to-6" elbow rule that caused his loss? The 12-to-6 elbow rule prohibits a fighter from bringing their elbow straight down like a hammer. It is a controversial rule that many MMA practitioners hope to see removed, as other angles of elbow strikes are permitted and often more dangerous.

Conclusion

Jon Jones’s professional record of 28-1-0 (1 NC) is a statistical anomaly in a sport as volatile as MMA. From becoming the youngest champion in the history of the promotion to dominating two different weight classes, "Bones" has utilized a unique combination of 84.5-inch reach, elite wrestling, and creative striking to stay atop the rankings for over a decade. Whether analyzed through the lens of his 15 title fight wins or his 95% takedown defense, the data supports his position as one of the most effective and durable martial artists to ever enter the Octagon.