Jon Jones

Jones was born on July 19, 1987, in Rochester, New York.^[36] His father Arthur is a pastor at Mount Sinai Church of God in Christ in Binghamton, New York.^[37] Arthur discouraged Jon's fighting career, "I wanted him to preach. I tried to discourage him from being a fighter. I told him you don't want to do that. You can do other things. Be a pastor."^[37] Jon's mother, Camille, died in 2017 at the age of 55, after a long battle with diabetes.^[38]

Jon was one of four children.^[39] His older brother, Arthur, was a former American football defensive lineman who played for the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins, while his younger brother, Chandler, last played as an outside linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders.^[40] His older sister, Carmen, died of a brain tumor before her 18th birthday.^[39][41]

Before beginning his MMA career, Jones was a stand-out high school wrestler at Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, New York.^[42] As a junior in 2004, he won the Northeast Junior Greco‑Roman Regional Championship at 189 lb and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the event.^[43] He came back in 2005 as a senior to capture the New York State Division I title at 189 lb, and was named an NHSCA Senior All‑American.^[44] He also played football as a defensive lineman; due to his slight frame, his coach nicknamed him "Bones".^[45]

As a freshman at Iowa Central Community College, Jones won a NJCAA wrestling national championship, helped secure the overall team championship, and was named an All-American.^[42][46][47] After transferring to Morrisville State College^[48] to study Criminal Justice, he dropped out of college to begin his MMA career.^[49]

Jones made his professional MMA debut in April 2008.^[42] He amassed an undefeated record of 6–0 over a period of three months, finishing all of his opponents. In his last bout before signing with the UFC, Jones defeated Moyses Gabin at BCX 5 for the USKBA Light Heavyweight Championship.^[42] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.^[50]

Jones made his UFC debut against André Gusmão at UFC 87 on August 9, 2008. Jones had accepted the deal on two weeks' notice as a late replacement for Tomasz Drwal.^[42] Jones won via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, and 30–27), using takedowns and unorthodox striking, such as spinning elbows and a spinning back kick.^[51][52]

In his second UFC match, Jones took on veteran Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94 on January 31, 2009. Jones won the fight by unanimous decision.^[53][54]

Jones's third fight was against Jake O'Brien at UFC 100^[55] on July 11, 2009. Jones won via submission.^[56][57] In September 2009, Jones was rewarded for his victories by signing a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.^[58]

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.^[59] 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.^[60] Consequently, the replay simulation was reviewed, and showed that Jones's elbows further damaged Hamill's already bloody and lacerated nose. This 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.^[61] UFC president Dana White was aggrieved that referee Steve Mazagatti ruled the bout as a disqualification, which resulted in a loss for Jones, saying that it should have been a no contest.^[62] In 2019, White said he was still attempting to have the result overturned to a no contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.^[63]

Jones fought Brandon Vera on March 21, 2010, at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones.^[64] Jones won the fight by TKO.^[65] The elbow delivered to stop the fight also broke Vera's face in three places.^[66] Jones also won the "Knockout of the Night" award.^[67]

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.^[68] Dana White promised Jones a "huge step-up in the competition", if he managed to defeat Matyushenko.^[69] 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. He's going to make a lot of money—this kid is going to do very well."^[70]

After defeating Matyushenko, Jones stated that he wanted a "top-three opponent" for his next fight.^[71] Jones mentioned in an interview with Inside MMA that he would be facing the winner of Antônio Rogério Nogueira vs. Ryan Bader.^[72] Reports that Jones had previously been offered a match with Nogueira, but turned it down,^[73] turned out to be false.^[74] In the Inside MMA interview, Jones also stated that he had been informed by Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta that if he finished his next two fights, he would likely receive a title shot.^[72]

White soon confirmed that Jones would face the undefeated Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader, on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126.^[75] 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. Jones was awarded the "Submission of the Night" bonus.^[76]

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.^[77] 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. A body shot and knee to the head dropped the champion to his knees, causing the referee to step in and halt the match.^[78]

Jones's first title defense was expected to be on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133 against Rashad Evans,^[79] his former friend and teammate,^[80] but Jones was sidelined with a hand injury.^[81] 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.^[82] Jones's injury was originally thought to keep him out of action until late 2011,^[83] 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.^[84] In the process, he became the first UFC fighter to submit Jackson. In 2012, Jones said that this was his favorite fight up to that point.^[85]

Jones vs. Evans was in the works for a second time, and a bout was targeted for December 10, 2011, at UFC 140.^[86] However, a lingering thumb injury cost another title opportunity for Evans, and Jones instead faced Lyoto Machida at the same event.^[87] Jones successfully defended the light heavyweight title at UFC 140, stopping Machida at 4:26 of the second round via guillotine choke technical submission.^[88] This was the first submission loss in Machida's career.

Jones faced his arch rival and former teammate Rashad Evans on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145, and won via unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, and 50–45).^[89] During the UFC 145 post fight press conference, Dana White confirmed that Jones's next opponent would be Dan Henderson.^[90] The Jones-Henderson fight was expected to take place at UFC 151, but Henderson pulled out of the bout due to injuries.^[91][92] Jones then refused a late replacement fight with Chael Sonnen after his coach Greg Jackson told him with three training days left, it would be difficult to prepare.^[93] UFC 151 was then subsequently canceled, the first cancelation in the company's 19-year history.^[94]

Jones's decision to decline the fight against Sonnen was criticized by UFC president Dana White, who said, "This is one of the most selfish, disgusting decisions that doesn't just affect you. This is affecting 16 other lives, their families, kids are going back to school. The list goes on and on of all the things, the money that was spent for fighters to train and the list goes on and on. Like I said, I don't think this is going to make Jon Jones popular with the fans, sponsors, cable distributors, television network executives or other fighters."^[95] However, Jones was defended by MMA analysts, who criticized White for promoting a thin card.^[96] It was later reported that Henderson was injured three weeks prior to the announcement, but kept the injury under wraps as he was still hoping to compete.^[97]

A rematch with Lyoto Machida was then announced for September 22, 2012, at UFC 152.^[98] Lyoto Machida, who was not contacted prior to the announcement, rejected the fight due to the lack of time to train before the bout.^[99] Jones, instead, defended the championship against Vitor Belfort on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152.^[100] Jones opened as a massive favorite (13-to-1) coming into the bout.^[100]

Despite almost being submitted via armbar in round one, Jones successfully defended the belt against Belfort via Americana submission in round four,^[102][103] and equaled Chuck Liddell's number of title defenses.^[104][105] Jones also won a $65,000 Submission of the Night bonus for his finish of Belfort.^[106]

Jones was chosen to coach opposite Chael Sonnen on Season 17 of the Ultimate Fighter. With a bout between the coaches taking place on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159.^[107] 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.^[108] Jones made quick work of his challenger, finishing Sonnen via TKO in the first round. However, he broke the phalanx (big toe) on his left foot during the fight.^{[109][110][111][112]} With the win, Jones tied Tito Ortiz for having most consecutive title defenses in UFC light heavyweight history.^[113]

Jones faced Alexander Gustafsson on September 21, 2013, at UFC 165.^[114] Jones was badly cut above the eye during the first round,^[115] but he won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision (48–47, 48–47, and 49–46). After the match, Jones said Gustafsson gave him the toughest fight of his career, and both were sent to the hospital for their injuries.^[116] Both men suffered lacerations and facial swelling, but were released from the hospital with no broken bones or serious injuries.^[117][118] The bout earned both fighters the Fight of the Night bonus award.^[119] The match received numerous positive reviews: "an epic battle",^[120][121] "instant-classic",^[122] "Fight of the Year",^[123] "Greatest light heavyweight title fight of all-time",^[124] "one of the greatest fights in UFC history".^[125] On March 8, 2020, it was announced that the fight will be inducted to UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing on July 9.^[126]

Jones was expected to take on Glover Teixeira on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169.^[127] 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.^[128] On November 13, 2013, it was announced that Jones would fight Teixeira at UFC 170, scheduled for February 22, 2014;^[129] however, the next day it was announced that the match had been removed from the card.^[130] 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;^[131] however, the fight was moved again. Jones and Teixeira finally fought on April 26, 2014, at UFC 172.^[132] Jones won the bout via unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, and 50–45).^[133]

On April 27, 2014, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Jones would next have a rematch against Gustafsson, and stated the possibility of the match taking place in a stadium in Sweden on pay-per-view.^[134][135] On May 24, 2014, it was indicated that the rematch would take place in Las Vegas on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177.^[136] The statement, and the time and venue, was not official, however, because Gustafsson was the only one who still had agreed to accept the match.^[137][138] On June 2, the fight was still on hold, and White explained the situation as "Jones doesn't want to fight Gustafsson", and instead expressed his preference for fighting Daniel Cormier.^{[139][140][141]}

On June 5, 2014, the UFC confirmed that the Jones vs. Gustafsson rematch would take place on September 27, 2014, at UFC 178.^[142] 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.^[143] 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.^[144] Jones won the fight by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, and 49–46).^[145] 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.^[146] It was later revealed that Jones had failed a drug test one month prior to the event, as he tested positive for cocaine. (see below in #Controversies)^[147]

Jones was expected to defend his title against Anthony Johnson on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187.^[148] However, on April 28, Jones was stripped of the belt and suspended from the UFC indefinitely in connection with a hit-and-run incident where he crashed into a pregnant woman then fled the scene on foot.^[149] Cormier, who lost against Jones at UFC 182 in January 2015, replaced him and went on to defeat Anthony Johnson to take the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.^[150]

On October 23, 2015, the UFC announced that Jones had been reinstated to the active roster, nearly six months after his suspension was announced.^[151] A rematch with Cormier was expected to take place on April 23, 2016, at UFC 197.^[152] However, Cormier pulled out of the fight on April 1, citing a foot injury, and was replaced by Ovince Saint Preux.^[153][154] Jones defeated Saint Preux by unanimous decision (50–44, 50–45, and 50–45).^[155]

The rematch with Cormier was rescheduled and expected to take place on July 9, 2016, at UFC 200.^[156] However, on July 6, 2016, Jones was removed from the bout by USADA on June 16 after a potential doping violation.^[157] On November 7, 2016, it was announced that Jones had been suspended for one year by USADA, retroactive to July 7.^[158] Two days later, it was announced that Jones had been stripped of his interim title, making him the first fighter in UFC history to be stripped of a title twice.^[159] On December 15, Jones was also suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for one year.^[160]

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. Following the fight, Jones expressed interest in competing against Chael Sonnen.^[161]

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.^[162] After the fight, Jones was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.^[163] After the fight, Jones praised Cormier as a "model champion", while recognizing his own personal failings. He then challenged Brock Lesnar to a fight.^[164]

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.^[26] On September 13, USADA confirmed that both the "A" and "B" sample of Jones's tested positive for Turinabol.^[165] As a result, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) officially overturned the result of the fight to a no contest. Subsequently, UFC President Dana White made the decision to strip him of the Light Heavyweight championship, and return it to Daniel Cormier.^[166]

In September 2018, it was announced by USADA that Jones would serve a suspension of 15 months. From a potential suspension of 48 months USADA applied a reduction of 30 months for Jones's co-operation in identifying other anti-doping offences, and a further 3 months was applied by arbitrators McLaren in relation to Jones's degree of fault.^[167]

On October 10, 2018, it was announced that Jones would return at UFC 232 on December 29, 2018, in a rematch with Alexander Gustafsson for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.^[168] Jones defeated Gustafsson by technical knockout in the third round to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.^[169]

In the first defense of his second championship reign, Jones faced Anthony Smith on March 2, 2019, in the main event at UFC 235.^[170] Jones dominated the fight, but was deducted two points in the fourth round after landing an illegal knee to Smith's head. He won the fight via unanimous decision with 48–44 on all three judges' scorecards.^[171]

Jones faced Thiago Santos on July 6, 2019, in the main event at UFC 239.^[172] He won the back-and-forth match via split decision (48–47, 47–48, and 48–47), defending his title for the second time.^[28]

Jones faced Dominick Reyes on February 8, 2020, in the main event of UFC 247.^[173] Jones won the fight via controversial unanimous decision (48–47, 48–47, and 49–46).^[174] With this win, Jones set the new record for most wins in UFC title fight history with 14 wins.^[175]

After conflict with UFC President Dana White over pay in May 2020, Jones said he had vacated the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.^[29] Jones was targeting a fight with heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou and, according to White, wanted "Deontay Wilder money", referring to Wilder's reported $25–30 million earnings in his rematch with Tyson Fury held in February 2020.^[30] On August 15, 2020, Jones announced on social media that he would be relinquishing the Light Heavyweight Championship, as well expressing his desire to move up to heavyweight.^[31]

After over three years removed from his last bout, Jones faced Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship on March 4, 2023, at UFC 285.^[176] He won the bout and earned the title via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.^[177][178] After the fight, Jones earned the Performance of the Night bonus award.^[179]

Jones was scheduled to defend his title against former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295.^[180] However, Jones was forced to pull out due to injury after tearing a pectoral tendon.^[181] As a result, a bout for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall was scheduled for the event. Aspinall won via first-round knockout to become the interim champion.^[182]

One year after his injury, the bout between Jones and Miocic was rescheduled to November 16, 2024, at UFC 309.^[183] He won the fight by technical knockout via a spinning back kick followed by punches in the third round.^[184] With this twelfth title defense, Jones broke the record for most title defenses in UFC history.^[185] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.^[186]

Following the removal of Clay Guida from the UFC roster on January 15, 2025,^[187] Jones became the promotion's longest-tenured fighter.^[188]

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.^[189] At the post-fight press conference of UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. on June 21, 2025, rather than defend his championship against Aspinall, it was announced that Jones had retired from mixed martial arts competition and that Aspinall was the new undisputed champion as a result.^[190]

As of 4 July 2025, Jones reported to have re-entered the testing pool and is listed as active on the official UFC website.^[191]

In January 2008, Jones participated in the Northeastern Grappler's Challenge in Ithaca, New York.^[192] Jones competed in two matches, both against Doug Fournet, whom Jones submitted both times with a 'Kimura'.^[193]

After being called out by some MMA fans at the Europa Games expo in October 2016, Jones decided to take part in the NAGA no-gi grappling tournament, winning both of his matches with guillotines.^{[194][195][196]}

Jones agreed to headline the Submission Underground 2 main event on December 10, 2016, against Dan Henderson. Jones and Henderson had been scheduled to fight in the main event at UFC 151 in 2012, but Henderson suffered an injury during training and was forced to withdraw.^[197]

In the contest, Jones sumbitted Henderson with just over a minute left in regulation time.^[198]

Jones has trained with Team BombSquad out of Cortland, New York, then briefly with the Tristar Gym in Montreal, Canada, and most recently at Jackson's MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico.^[199] He also trained as a power-lifter during his suspension from the UFC.^[200]

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.^[201] To refine his striking and transitions, Jones incorporates pad work, sparring, and clinch drills into his routine. His training also features explosive strength exercises, plyometrics, and agility drills, which boost his speed and power.^[202]

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. He shifts his focus to honing technical precision and engages in lighter sparring, ensuring he enters the fight in optimal physical and mental condition.^[203]

Jones stands out by his high adaptability and flawless technique in the cage and has been described as "one of the most dynamic, innovative, and constantly evolving fighters in the history of MMA"^[204] and "perhaps the greatest martial artist ever to step into an octagon".^[205] Jones capitalizes on his great range and defensive wrestling to land blows in a creative, unorthodox style.^[206]

He employs a diverse kicking technique, favoring front kicks to the body and head, roundhouse kicks to the legs and upper body, and his most known technique, the "oblique kick", a controversial move that targets his opponent's knee.^[206][207] The oblique kick was a technique popularized by Bruce Lee,^[208] whom Jones cited as an inspiration.^[209]

Jones also excels in the clinch, where he is skilled at controlling his opponent's arms and scoring elbow and knee strikes.^[205] He uses Greco-Roman wrestling takedowns like lateral drops from overhooks,^[210] as well as a variety of judo throws, like osoto gari, harai goshi and deashi harai, which he claims he picked up by watching them on YouTube.^[211] Once on the ground, he has excellent positional control and an ability to find openings for punches and elbow strikes.^[205]

In an interview with Joe Rogan on December 1, 2016, Jones stated that he has four daughters (aged 9, 8, 6 and 3).^[212] On February 23, 2022, Jones announced via Twitter that his fiancée Jessie had left him around two months prior.^[213] The two have since reconciled, and Jessie accompanied Jones into the cage after he won the heavyweight title at UFC 285 on March 4, 2023.^[214] In June 2024, Jones announced that he had been granted 50/50 custody over his son, marking the first time he indicated having a son.^[215]

Jones said that he was sexually assaulted as a child.^[216]

On March 19, 2011, Jones was en route to Great Falls Historic Park in Paterson, New Jersey,^[217] 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. Jones, along with his two coaches, chased after the robber, caught and tripped him, and held him down until the police arrived.^[218][219]

On August 8, 2012, Jones became the first mixed martial artist to be sponsored by Nike on an international scale.^[220] He is also the first MMA fighter to have his own shoe line,^[221] and the first MMA fighter to represent Gatorade and MuscleTech in the Octagon.^[222] On December 16, 2014, Jones announced that he had signed a sponsorship deal with Reebok.^[223] However, on April 29, 2015, Reebok terminated their sponsorship following Jones's involvement in a hit-and-run incident.^[224] A day later, Jones also lost his sponsorship with MuscleTech.^[225]

In January 2025, President Donald Trump extended a personal invitation to Jones for his inauguration, an event Jones attended.^[226]

In March 2025, it was announced that Jones is a co-owner of "Dirty Boxing Championship".^[227] On June 23, 2025, Jones announced he had become co-owner and chief performance officer of Ketone-IQ.^[228]

Jones has been featured on the cover of several magazines, including Fighters Only, FIGHT!, Tapout, L'Optimum, Athletes Quarterly, Ultimate MMA and UFC.^{[229][230][231]}

In December 2019, Jones donated and handed out $20,000 worth of coats to homeless people in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also partnered with a local charity to give out hot meals and toys to children.^[232] In May 2020, Jones donated $25,000 to The Food Depot, an organization dedicated to combating hunger.^[233]

In 2020, Jones founded the C.A.R.E. Project, a nonprofit dedicated to the cleanup and beautification of New Mexico.^[234][235] Through his foundation, Jones has launched several initiatives aimed at supporting his community.^{[236][237][238][239]}

After defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, Jones said his $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus would go towards community service in Albuquerque, New Mexico.^[240]

In February 2025, Jones partnered with Power to the Patients, a healthcare reform group, to advocate for more affordable and accessible healthcare.^[241]

Jones has been criticized 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. Dirtiest fighter in MMA." After backlash towards the post, Jones deleted it from his account.^[242]

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."^[243] 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. Then guys are rushing in and you're doing whatever, and guys get poked in the eyes." White also noted that in the fight against Glover Teixeira, after Jones was warned about the behavior, he was more careful to avoid any eye pokes throughout the rest of the match, a move he claimed Jones "would not [be] credited for" from detractors.^[244]

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. That's what you saw [against] Teixeira, but to say I am purposely poking people in the eye, it's just inaccurate."^[245] In 2017, the Unified Rules were amended to prohibit extension of a fighter's fingers towards the eyes of an opponent.^[246]

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.^[247] 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.^[248] UFC chief legal officer Kirk Hendrick said "there are going to be ramifications". In addition, the Nevada State Athletic Commission requested a video copy of the altercation.^[249] On September 23, 2014, Jones was fined $50,000 and was ordered to undergo 40 hours of community service by the Nevada Athletic Commission.^[250] During the disciplinary hearing, Jones claimed to have lost a six-figure endorsement deal with Nike, but later admitted to fabricating the statement.^[251][252]

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.^[253][254] 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". Inside the silver Buick SUV, law enforcement found a pipe with marijuana inside of it.^[255] Though initially wanted for questioning that could have resulted in a simple misdemeanor, Jones's charges were elevated to a felony on April 27 for injuring a person and purposely leaving the scene of an accident.^[256]

An arrest warrant was issued against Jones, and surrender arrangements were made between law enforcement and Jones's lawyers.^[257] That evening, Jones turned himself in to the Albuquerque Police Department.^[258] Later that evening, he posted bail of $2,500 and left the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center.^[259] 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.^[260] 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. That same day, the UFC stripped Jones of the title, removed him from official rankings, and suspended him indefinitely.^[261] In a statement released that day, the UFC announced that Jones was stripped from his belt for violating the Athlete Code of Conduct Policy.^[262]

Jones apologized to his fans on Twitter by saying, "Got a lot of soul searching to do. Sorry to everyone I've let down."^[263] 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. Jones met all of the conditions, which included 72 separate appearances for charity or youth outreach, avoiding a felony charge on his criminal record.^[264] In an interview in December 2016, Jones admitted he had run from the scene of the accident and had not checked on the occupant of the other vehicle.^[265]

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 order against Jones. Police stated that while Jones was being detained, he headbutted the hood of the patrol vehicle and made threats, saying he could break free from the handcuffs. Jones was arrested after the investigation, taken to Clark County jail, and was charged with one count of domestic battery, a misdemeanor, and one count of tampering with a police vehicle, a felony. His bail was set at $16,000.^[266][267]

Jones posted bail approximately twelve hours after his arrest and was due to be arraigned in court on October 26.^[268] Four days after his arrest, Jones posted an Instagram video of himself lifting weights, with the caption saying "I have way too much trauma to consume alcohol, my brain simply can't handle it anymore. I will leave alcohol in my past forever."^[269] Three weeks after the arrest, Jones was banned from entering Jackson Wink MMA gym by his coach, Mike Winkeljohn, where Jones had been training since 2009.^[270] On December 16, it was revealed that the domestic battery charge against Jones was dropped. As for the felony tampering with a police vehicle charge, Jones pleaded no contest and was ordered to pay $750 in restitution, attend anger management therapy, and was given a court order to stay out of any and all legal trouble.^[271]

In the early morning of May 19, 2012, Jones drove his Bentley Continental GT into a pole in Binghamton, New York. Jones was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and was bailed out by his mother.^[272] He pleaded guilty to DUI charges and was order to pay a $1,000 fine, install ignition interlocks on all of his vehicles, complete a victims impact class, and had his driver's license suspended for six months.^[273]

On July 21, 2019, it was reported that Jones had been charged with battery for an alleged incident in April 2019 involving a cocktail waitress at a strip club in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The waitress claimed that Jones slapped her, put her in a choke hold and kissed her on the neck, and touched her after she had asked him to stop.^[274][275] The bench trial of the case was held on September 26, 2019,^[276] where Jones pleaded no contest to the charges and received a 90-day deferred sentence whereby he must avoid arrest, not violate the law, consume no alcohol or drugs and not return to the scene. He was also ordered to pay court fees during his unsupervised probation period, as per the court document.^[277]

Jones was arrested in the early morning of March 26, 2020, in Albuquerque.^[278] According to police reports, an Albuquerque PD officer heard what sounded like a gunshot and, upon further investigation, observed a black Jeep with Jones in the driver's seat. After noticing signs of intoxication, the responding officer administered a field sobriety test, which Jones failed. Jones was also given a breathalyzer test and registered a BAC more than twice the legal limit. Police then searched Jones's vehicle while arresting him for DWI and found a partially empty bottle of Recuerdo Mezcal as well as a black handgun underneath the driver's seat. Jones was arrested on the scene and taken to the Bernalillo County jail. Altogether, Jones was charged with aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open container, and driving with no proof of insurance.^[279] On March 31, it was announced that Jones had pleaded guilty to the DWI charge, after accepting a plea deal in which the other charges would be dropped. He was sentenced to four days' house arrest, one year of supervised probation, a minimum of 90 days of outpatient therapy, and he must complete 48 hours of community service.^[280]

On March 30, 2024, Crystal Martinez, a drug-testing agent from Drug Free Sport filed a police report stating that Jones allegedly assaulted her and threatened to kill her during a recent visit to his home when she was tasked with collecting a urine sample as part of the UFC's anti-doping program.^[281] On April 7, 2024, Albuquerque Police Department issued Jones a summons citing assault and interference with communications offenses.^[282] In July 2024, Jones pled not guilty to both misdemeanor charges, with bench trial being set to take place on August 22. Subsequently the trial was postponed until September 26 due to the police officer that responded to the incident could not attend on the original date.^[283] On October 29, 2024, Jones agreed to attend four hours of anger management classes to resolve charges.^[284]

On June 17, 2025, a criminal summons was filed in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, accusing Jones of a misdemeanor charge for allegedly fleeing the scene of a traffic accident that occurred on February 24. Albuquerque police responded to a crash involving a woman in the passenger seat who was "significantly intoxicated and lacking clothing from the waist down." She stated Jones had been driving and fled on foot. The woman called Jones afterward, during which police allege he appeared heavily intoxicated, refused to confirm his identity, and made statements "implying his capacity to employ lethal force through third parties." He is scheduled to appear at a July 24 bond arraignment,^[285] and his bench trial was set for September 2, 2025.^[286] New Mexico prosecutors dismissed misdemeanor charges.^[287]

On January 6, 2015, it was announced that Jones failed a drug test prior to UFC 182. He tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine.^[147] Because benzoylecgonine is not banned out-of-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the NSAC could not halt Jones from participating during UFC 182. He was randomly tested on December 3, 2014, and results came back on December 23. A week after his first test, Jones was tested again. He passed the second test, which meant that the cocaine metabolite was out of his system before the fight. When the news was made public, Jones went into rehab for one night.^{[147][288][289]} He was fined $25,000 on January 17 for violating the UFC's Athlete Code of Conduct policy.^[290] On January 19, 2015, Jones was interviewed for the first time since the failed drug test and said: "...I'm not a cocaine addict by any means or not even a frequent user. I just made a really dumb decision and got caught with my pants down in this whole situation."^[291]

Prior to his UFC 182 bout with Cormier, Jones's testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio was considered by some experts to be alarmingly low. Victor Conte, a former steroid distributor, who founded and led the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO), said of Jones's test "these (levels) are highly suspicious for Jon Jones, in my opinion. This is the reason that sophisticated anti-doping officials do target testing. So based on what we see here, my opinion is Jon Jones should be on a very short leash and should be random tested here until they sort out why he has these anomalies."^[292] This resulted in several journalists imploring the NSAC to utilize CIR (Carbon Isotope Ratio) testing on Jones's samples. "Luckily, this is a situation where speculation could quickly be ended. Jon Jones's drug test samples still exist and a simple Carbon Isotope Ratio test could be conducted to find the result. Put simply, a CIR test would be able to determine if the testosterone in Jones's system was synthetic or natural," Brent Brookhouse of Bloody Elbow wrote.^[293] However, according to NSAC executive director Bob Bennett, Jones's test samples had already undergone CIR testing by the same WADA-accredited lab which had reported his T/E ratios, noting that all CIR results came back clean.^[294] Additionally, he said there were three different types of tests done during each of the random tests: urine, blood testing for human growth hormone and a blood passport test. "The only negative was testing positive for cocaine metabolites," Bennett said.^[295]

On July 8, 2016, a urine sample from Jones tested positive for two banned substances, clomiphene, an anti-estrogen substance, and letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, prior to his scheduled championship bout with Cormier at UFC 200. The violation was from an "A" sample collection on June 16, with subsequent testing of the B sample confirming the doping. Both drugs, which are on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned substances list, are described as "hormone and metabolic modulators", which are not allowed to be used in or out of competition.^[296][297] As a result, Jones had to withdraw from the event, and was replaced by former middleweight champion Anderson Silva.^[298] Throughout the ordeal, Jones maintained his innocence, claiming that he was the victim of a contaminated product that he believed to be Cialis, which was later independently obtained, tested and found to be contaminated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).^[299] On November 7, 2016, it was announced that Jones was issued a one-year suspension by USADA following his arbitration hearing, though the panel concluded that Jones did not take the banned substances intentionally, and was not a drug cheat.^[300]

On August 22, 2017, it was announced that Jones was flagged for a potential doping violation by USADA, stemming from his test sample that was collected on July 28, one day before his rematch against Cormier at UFC 214. He tested positive for Turinabol, an anabolic steroid, and was placed on a provisional suspension as a result of the positive drug test.^[26] On September 13, the CSAC announced that it had overturned the result of the fight with Cormier from a KO victory for Jones to a 'no contest', after both Jones's A and B samples tested positive for Turinabol. Jones was also stripped of the title for a third time, and it was then returned to Cormier.^[301]

Jones stated that he did not knowingly take any prohibited substances,^[302] with his team believing Jones consumed tainted substances. Jones potentially faced up to a 4-year suspension if found guilty,^[303] but on September 18 he was handed a 15-month suspension by USADA, retroactive to July 28,^[304] plus three months community service.^[305] Thirty months were deducted from the four-year suspension because Jones provided "substantial assistance" to USADA. "Substantial assistance" refers to an athlete informing an anti-doping agency about a doping violation by another athlete.^[306] USADA said it reduced the suspension by a further three months after a hearing with an independent arbitrator, Richard McLaren, on September 15.^[304] Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA, said in a statement: "The independent arbitrator found that Jon Jones was not intentionally cheating in this case, and while we thought 18 months was the appropriate sanction given the other circumstances of the case, we respect the arbitrator's decision and believe that justice was served. This case is another strong reminder that athletes need to be extremely cautious about the products and supplements they use to ensure they are free of prohibited substances."^[307]

Jones became eligible to fight again on October 28, 2018,^[308] and was scheduled to fight against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232 in Las Vegas on December 29. However, after further inconsistencies arose with his drug test on December 23, he was not granted a license to compete in Nevada, so the event was moved to Los Angeles.^[309] In order to receive a license from CSAC, Jones had to enroll into the VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) testing program, thus making him the first UFC fighter to be signed to both USADA and VADA testing programs simultaneously.^[310] Drug tests administered at UFC 232 found an ultra trace amount of turinabol, which doctors attributed to a long-term "pulsing effect" of the M3 metabolite detected in 2017. CSAC did not take disciplinary action against Jones as the medical experts stated that there was no evidence that Jones had re-administered a banned substance and no performance-enhancing benefits were gained.^[311]

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Hall of Fame (Fight Wing, Class of 2021) vs. Alexander Gustafsson 1 at UFC 165^[126]
  • UFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
    • One successful title defense
    • Second longest Heavyweight champion reign in UFC history (840 days)^[312]
    • Most wins in UFC title fights (16)^[313]
    • Most successful title defenses in UFC history (12)^[314]
    • Most UFC title fights (17)
      • Second most submissions in UFC title fights (4)
      • Tied (Matt Hughes) for second most finishes in UFC title fights (8)^[313]
  • UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (Two times)
    • Eleven successful title defenses (Overall)
      • Eight successful title defenses (First reign)
      • Three successful title defenses (Second reign)
        • Most successful title defenses in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (11)
        • Most consecutive title defenses in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (8)
        • Fourth most consecutive title defenses in UFC history (8)
  • Interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
    • Longest Light Heavyweight champion reign in UFC history (1,501 days)
    • Most wins in UFC Light Heavyweight title fights (14)
    • Most UFC Light Heavyweight title fights (15)
    • Most finishes in UFC Light Heavyweight title fights (6)
  • Youngest champion in UFC history (23 years, 243 days)^[315]
    • Youngest fighter to win a UFC championship (23 years, 242 days)^[21]
    • Eighth multi-divisional champion in UFC history
    • Fourth fighter to defend the title in two weight divisions in UFC history^[313]
    • Most total fight time in UFC title fights (4:56:20)^[316]
  • Fight of the Night (Four times) vs. Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Alexander Gustafsson and Daniel Cormier 1^{[317][318][319][320]}
  • Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Brandon Vera^[67]
  • Submission of the Night (Two times) vs. Ryan Bader and Vitor Belfort^[76][106]
    • Tied (Ovince Saint Preux, Anthony Smith & Misha Cirkunov) for third most submissions in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (5)^[321]
  • Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Daniel Cormier 2, Ciryl Gane and Stipe Miocic^{[179][322][186]}
    • Tied (Mauricio Rua & Ovince Saint Preux) for second most Post-Fight bonuses in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (8)^[321]
  • Longest unbeaten streak in UFC history (20)^[313]
  • Most consecutive wins in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (13)
    • Tied (Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, Max Holloway & Khabib Nurmagomedov) for fifth longest win streak in UFC history (13)^[323]
  • Second most main events in UFC history (20) (behind Anderson Silva)^[315]
  • Most wins in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (20)^[321]
    • Tied (Demian Maia & Dustin Poirier) for seventh most wins in UFC history (22)^[323]
  • Most decision wins in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (10)^[321]
    • Most unanimous decision wins in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (9)
  • Most total fight time in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (5:40:15)^[321]
    • Second longest average fight time in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (15:28)^[321]
  • Most significant strikes landed in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (1,463)^[321]
    • Most total strikes landed in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (1,835)^[321]
  • Highest takedown defense percentage in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (95.0%)^[321]
    • Second highest takedown defense percentage in UFC history (95.0%)^[315]
  • Third most finishes in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (10)^[321]
  • Fourth most takedowns landed in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (42)^[321]
  • Most total leg strikes landed in a UFC Light Heavyweight bout (111) vs. Anthony Smith^[324]
  • Third lowest bottom position percentage in UFC history (0.19%)^[323]
    • Lowest bottom position percentage in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (0.2%)^[321]
    • Seventh lowest bottom position time in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (0:41)^[321]
  • Fourth most top position time in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (47:47)^[321]
  • Second most control time in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (1:19:42)^[321]
  • Fifth highest significant strike percentage in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (57.9%)^[321]
  • Eighth highest striking differential in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (2.08)^[321]
  • Fifth most submission attempts in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (10)^[321]
  • Longest total reign as #1 pound for pound (1,743 days)^[24]
  • Holds wins over nine former UFC champions (8 undisputed) — Maurício Rua, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Glover Teixeira, Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic and Ciryl Gane (interim)^[315]
  • UFC Honors Awards
    • 2023: Fan's Choice Submission of the Year Winner vs. Ciryl Gane^[325] & President's Choice Performance of the Year Nominee vs. Ciryl Gane^[326]
  • UFC.com Awards
    • 2009: Ranked #2 Loss of the Year vs. Matt Hamill,^[327] Ranked #10 Fighter of the Year,^[328] Ranked #9 Submission of the Year vs. Jake O'Brien^[329] & Ranked #4 Upset of the Year vs. Stephan Bonnar^[330]
    • 2011: Fighter of the Year^[331] & Ranked #7 Submission of the Year vs. Lyoto Machida^[332]
    • 2012: Ranked #2 Fighter of the Year^[333]
    • 2013: Fight of the Year vs. Alexander Gustafsson 1^[334] & Ranked #10 Fighter of the Year^[335]
    • 2019: Top 10 Fighter of the Year^[336]
    • 2020: Ranked #9 Fight of the Year vs. Dominick Reyes^[337]
    • 2023: Ranked #4 Submission of the Year vs. Ciryl Gane^[338] & Ranked #10 Fighter of the Year^[339]
• United States Kickboxing Association
  • USKBA Light Heavyweight Championship (one time)^[50]
• Sherdog
  • 2009 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year^[340]
  • 2010 All-Violence 1st Team^[341]
  • 2011 All-Violence 1st Team^[342]
  • 2011 Beatdown of the Year for win over Maurício Rua^[343]
  • 2011 Fighter of the Year^[344]
  • 2012 All-Violence 1st Team^[345]
  • 2013 All-Violence 1st Team^[346]
  • 2013 Fight of the Year (vs Alexander Gustafsson) (UFC 165)^[347]
  • 2023 Comeback Fighter of the Year^[348]
  • Greatest Fighter of the 2010s^[349]
  • Greatest Light Heavyweight of All Time^[350]
  • Greatest Male Fighter Pound-for-Pound of All Time^[351]
  • Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame^[352]
• World MMA Awards
  • 2010 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year^[353]
  • 2011 Fighter of the Year^[354]
  • 2012 Fighter of the Year^[355]
  • 2013 Fight of the Year vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165^[356]
• CombatPress.com
  • 2018 Biggest Story of the Year (Jon Jones and the Move of UFC 232)^[357]
  • 2023 Event of the Year (UFC 285)^[358]
• talkSPORT
  • Greatest UFC Fighter of All Time^[359]
• BodySlam.net
  • 2024 Return of the Year^[360]
• MMA Mania
  • 2011 Fighter of the Year^[361]
• MMA Sucka
  • Greatest MMA Fighter of All Time^[362]
• MMA Fighting
  • 2011 Fighter of the Year^[363]
  • 2013 Fight of the Year (vs Alexander Gustafsson) (UFC 165)^[364]
  • Fighter of the Decade (2010s)^[365]
• MMAInsider.net
  • 2013 Fight of the Year (vs Alexander Gustafsson) (UFC 165)^[366]
• Yardbarker
  • Greatest MMA Fighter of the 2010s^[367]
  • Greatest MMA Fighter of All Time^[368]
• FoxSports.com
  • 2013 Fight of the Year (vs Alexander Gustafsson) (UFC 165)^[369]
• Yahoo! Sports
  • 2013 Fight of the Year (vs. Alexander Gustafsson) (UFC 165)^[370]
  • Ranked #6 Story of the Decade (2010s)^[371]
  • Male MMA Fighter of the Decade (2010-2019)^[372]
  • Greatest MMA Fighter of All Time^[373]
• MMAWeekly.com
  • 2011 Fighter of the Year^[374]
  • 2013 Fight of the Year (vs. Alexander Gustafsson) (UFC 165)^[375]
  • 2018 Comeback Fighter of the Year^[376]
  • MMA Fighter of the Decade (2010-2019)^[377]
• MMAjunkie.com
  • 2011 Fighter of the Year^[378]
  • 2013 Fight of the Year (vs. Alexander Gustafsson) (UFC 165)^[379]
  • 2015 January Fight of the Month vs. Daniel Cormier^[380]
  • MMA Fighter of the Decade (2010s)^[381]
• Men's Journal
  • Ranked #3 UFC Fight of All Time vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165^[382]
• GiveMeSport
  • UFC Fighter of the Decade (2010s)^[383]
  • Greatest UFC Fighter of All Time^[384]
• ClutchPoints
  • Greatest UFC Fighter of All Time^[385]
  • Ranked #12 Greatest Male Athlete of All Time^[386]
• Fight Matrix
  • Rookie of the Year (2008)^[387]
  • Fighter of the Year (2011)^[387]
  • Comeback Fighter of the Year (2023)^[387]
  • Greatest Light Heavyweight of All Time^[388]
• New York Times
  • The 2010s MMA All-Decade Team^[389]
  • The 2010s Men's Light Heavyweight Fighter of the Decade^[389]
• CBS Sports
  • Greatest Light Heavyweight Fighter in MMA History^[390]
  • Greatest MMA Fighter of All Time^[391]
• Bleacher Report
  • 2011 #2 Ranked Submission of the Year vs. Lyoto Machida at UFC 140^[392]
  • 2012 #2 Ranked Fighter of the Year^[393]
  • 2013 Fight of the Year vs. Alexander Gustafsson (UFC 165)^[394]
  • UFC Fighter of the Decade (2011-2021)^[395]
• Sports Illustrated
  • Ranked #10 MMA Story of the Year (2011)^[396]
• ESPN
  • 2011 Fighter of the Year^[397]
  • 2012 Fighter of the Year^[398]
  • 2013 Fight of the Year (vs. Alexander Gustafsson) (UFC 165)^[399]
  • Best Male MMA Fighters of the Decade (2010-2019)^[400]
  • Top 100 Athletes of the 21st Century- #66^[401]
  • Greatest Men's MMA Fighter of the 21st Century^[402]
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Mixed Martial Arts Most Valuable (2023)^[403]
  • Best Box Office Draw (2023)^[403]
  • 2014 Feud of the Year vs. Daniel Cormier^[404]
  • 2011 Most Outstanding Fighter^[405]
• Spike Guys' Choice Awards
  • 2011 Most Dangerous Man^[406]
• FIGHT! Magazine
  • 2009 Newcomer of the Year^[407]
  • 2011 Fighter of the Year^[408]
• ESPY Award
  • 2011 Nomination – Best Fighter ESPY Award
  • 2012 Nomination – Best Fighter ESPY Award
  • 2013 Nomination – Best Fighter ESPY Award
  • 2014 Nomination – Best Fighter ESPY Award
  • 2023 Best MMA Fighter^[409]
• MMA Viking
  • 2013 Fight of the Year vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165^[410]
• Bloody Elbow
  • 2011 (First half) Fighter of the Year^[411]
  • 2013 Fight of the Year vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165^[412]

• National Junior College Athletic Association
  • NJCAA 197 lb National Championship out of Iowa Central Community College (2006)^[413]
  • NJCAA All-American out of Iowa Central Community College (2006)^[47]
• National High School Coaches Association
  • NHSCA Senior All-American (2005)^[414]
• New York State Public High School Athletic Association
  • NYSPHSAA Division I State Championship out of Union-Endicott High School (2005)^[415]
• USA Wrestling
  • Northeast Junior Greco-Roman Regional Championship (2004)^[416]

• Submission Underground (SUG) 2 Superfight Champion (2016)^[417]

^[418]

• List of male mixed martial artists
• List of UFC champions
• List of UFC bonus award recipients
• List of UFC records
• List of UFC events
• UFC Rankings
• UFC Hall of Fame
• Double champions in MMA