Jonathan Dwight Jones, born on July 19, 1987, in Rochester, New York, is an American former professional mixed martial artist widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport. Known by his nickname "Bones," Jones dominated the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for nearly two decades, characterized by his exceptional reach, versatile striking, and elite-level wrestling. His career, while defined by historic athletic achievements, was also marked by significant personal controversies that frequently interrupted his time inside the Octagon. Jones grew up in a religious household where his father served as a pastor. Athletics were central to the family, with his brothers Arthur and Chandler Jones going on to pursue successful careers in the National Football League (NFL). Jones himself excelled as a wrestler during his high school years at Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, New York, where he captured a state championship. He continued his wrestling career at Iowa Central Community College, winning a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship in 2006. Shortly after, he transitioned into mixed martial arts, eventually dropping out of college to pursue the sport professionally. Jones made his professional MMA debut in 2008 and quickly caught the attention of the UFC due to his rapid ascent and raw physical talent. He debuted in the promotion in August 2008, and by March 2011, at just 23 years old, he defeated Mauricio "Shogun" Rua via third-round TKO at UFC 128 to become the youngest champion in UFC history. This victory launched a historic reign in the light heavyweight division. Between 2011 and 2020, Jones defended his title against a roster of legendary fighters, including Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, and Daniel Cormier. Throughout his career, Jones remained undefeated in terms of performance—never being knocked out or outscored—with his only professional loss coming via a controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill in 2009 for the use of illegal elbows. Despite his unparalleled success, Jones’ career was punctuated by numerous disciplinary setbacks. Between 2015 and 2017, he was stripped of his championship title multiple times due to legal issues, including a felony hit-and-run conviction, and suspensions related to anti-doping violations. These controversies often sidelined him for extended periods, creating long gaps in his fighting schedule. Nevertheless, Jones consistently returned to the sport to reclaim his status at the top of the division, reclaiming the light heavyweight crown in 2018 after defeating Alexander Gustafsson. In 2020, following a lengthy tenure as the light heavyweight champion, Jones voluntarily vacated his title, citing a desire to move up to the heavyweight division. After a three-year hiatus, he returned to the Octagon in March 2023 at UFC 285, where he defeated Ciryl Gane via first-round guillotine choke to capture the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship. This victory made him one of the few fighters in history to secure titles in two different UFC weight classes. Jones successfully defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in November 2024 before announcing his retirement from professional competition in June 2025. Jones’ legacy remains complex. Statistically, he holds numerous records, including the most title-fight wins in UFC history and the longest period spent as the pound-for-pound number one fighter. His innovative fighting style, often incorporating unorthodox strikes and high-level grappling, changed the tactical landscape of MMA. While his personal conduct outside the cage frequently drew public scrutiny and criticism, his technical brilliance and longevity cemented his status as a central figure in the evolution of professional mixed martial arts.