MMA
How Old Was Jon Jones When He Started MMA?
Jon "Bones" Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, began his professional career at just 20 years old. With a championship background in wrestling, Jones chose MMA over boxing due to its diverse skills. His dominance in the UFC, becoming the youngest champion at 23, along with his unmatched fight IQ and ability to evolve, have solidified his legacy.
Jon Jones//Getty Images
Jon “Bones” Jones started his MMA career when he was just 20 years of age, in 2008. Despite being very young on the local circuit, he was a clear standout talent for many reasons. For one, his fight IQ was exceptional, and two, his wide range of grappling and striking techniques were something like we've never seen before in the sport, at that time.
But why did Jones choose MMA over boxing in a time when MMA was in the shadows of boxing?
Why Did Jon Jones Choose MMA Over Boxing?
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones//Getty Images
Born in Rochester, New York, to a very religious family, his father was a pastor, but athletics were firmly in the genes of the Jones’. Jon's two brothers, Arthur and Chandler, pursued careers in American Football, and both became successful NFL players. Meanwhile, Jones was busy not only learning wrestling, but he was winning state championships on the mat. As Jones got older, he went to a community college, where he also dominated in wrestling by becoming a national junior champion.
This is simply the reason why Jon Jones chose MMA over boxing. Because he already had great fundamentals in wrestling, it was an easy transition into MMA, and because he was an amazing athlete, he was able to showcase his athleticism by using high level strikes like something we had never seen before in the sport.
Jones’ Rise in MMA to the UFC
Jon Jones//Getty Images
Barely months into his professional MMA career, the Ultimate Fighting Championship spotted the talents of Jones and immediately acquired him to their roster. By 2011, Jon Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history by claiming the light-heavyweight title, defeating a legend of the sport in Mauricio Rua.
“Bones” went on a legendary run, not just defeating several icons of the sport, but he was winning comfortably in various ways, all while his opponents were in their primes. He would outstrike elite strikers, he would dominate elite wrestlers on the ground, and he would excel on the ground against the very best grapplers the sport had to offer.
Defeating fighters such as Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Daniel Cormier (twice), after each win, Jones was cementing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters to ever live. He was also doing this while not even training correctly. There are various stories of him going out partying during training camps.
We're now in 2024, and we can legitimately say that Jon Jones has never lost a fight. While his record has that blemish, almost everybody wants that very controversial disqualification, against Matt Hamill, erased from his record.
Why is Jon “Bones” Jones Considered the Greatest of All Time?
UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones//Getty Images
Jonny “Bones” Jones not only completely destroyed every elite fighter in their prime in the light-heavyweight division, to set a record of 8 light-heavyweight title defences, he is now a double champion after claiming the vacant UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in 2023. Plus, nobody would argue if his record was changed to make him officially undefeated in his career.
But, what else makes Jones one of, if not the greatest of all time in mixed martial arts?
Quite simply, we have never, and probably never will see another Jon Jones for as long as we live. He has an incredible ability to switch up his style and blend them all together. From his excellent striking: his spinning elbows, his side kicks, his oblique kicks, and then to his expert trips and takedowns to go with his high level jiu-jitsu. Everything about Jones was freakish.
His fight IQ and his creativity inside the octagon is unmatched throughout the sports’ 30-year history.
Not only that, but his longevity in the sport, to still be at the very top level, is something we haven't seen before. Of course, you have legends of the sport like Jim Miller and Diego Sanchez who had very long careers, but they regressed. Nobody can say that about Jones because he is the current heavyweight champion, although Tom Aspinall may have something to say about that.
The only reason why anybody wouldn't have Jones in the GOAT list would be because of his controversial past. Let's be honest, Jones’ legal issues, history with DUI's amongst physical abuse, have been publicised throughout his career. He also has a history for failing performance enhancing drug tests, which, for most, will always put an asterisk over certain fights.
Jake Staniland is a sports writer who excels in covering a wide range of sports: football, combat sports and the NFL - All three subjects are his lifelong passions.
Jake is a boyhood Sheffield United fan, which is often a curse that he thanks his family for. His favourite Blades player ever is Billy Sharp