Jon Jones Net Worth, Records, and Future Fights: A Comprehensive Look at the MMA Legend

What is MMA fighter Jon Jones net worth? Jonathan Dwight Jones, better known as Jon Jones, is a legendary American mixed martial artist currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he holds the title of UFC Heavyweight Champion. Often hailed as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, Jones has set records and shattered expectations throughout his career. But just how much has this success translated into wealth?

With a career spanning over a decade, Jones is renowned as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters the UFC has ever seen. 

Making his debut in 2008, he quickly ascended to become the youngest champion in UFC history, claiming the Light Heavyweight title in 2011 at just 23. 

He went on to dominate the division for nearly a decade, holding the title from 2011 to 2015, reclaiming it from 2018 to 2020, and securing the interim championship in 2016.

When Was Jon Jones Last Fight?

Jon Jones delivered yet another unforgettable performance, solidifying his claim as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. At UFC 309, Jones retained his heavyweight title in spectacular fashion, knocking out Stipe Miocic in the main event at Madison Square Garden.

The 37-year-old looked calm and dominant from the start, expertly neutralizing Miocic’s boxing game. The fight ended with a crushing heel strike to the body, leaving Miocic on the canvas in visible pain, clutching his ribs. It was a defining moment that further cemented Jones’ legendary status in the sport.

Who Is Jon Dwight Jones?

Jon Jones, born on July 19, 1987, in Rochester, New York, is one of the most successful MMA fighters and one of the stars of UFC. 

Jones is one of four siblings; his brothers Arthur and Chandler both had successful careers in the NFL, while his sister Carmen sadly passed away from a brain tumor before turning 18.

Before entering mixed martial arts, Jones excelled as a wrestler, becoming a high school state champion and later winning a national junior college title at Iowa Central Community College. He also played football as a defensive lineman, earning the nickname “Bones” due to his lean build. Though he began studying Criminal Justice at Morrisville State College, Jones left to pursue MMA professionally.

Jones made his MMA debut in April 2008 and quickly amassed an undefeated 6-0 record, securing a title in his final fight before joining the UFC. He made his UFC debut on August 9, 2008, at UFC 87, defeating André Gusmão via unanimous decision after stepping in as a last-minute replacement. 

Jones impressed fans with his unique fighting style, using unconventional moves like spinning elbows and back kicks, marking the beginning of his rise to prominence in the UFC.

Jon Jones Most Memorable Fights: From Rising Star To UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Jon Jones, one of the most iconic figures in UFC historcy, has fought in some unforgettable matches throughout his career. Among the highlights:

5. Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson (UFC 165 & UFC 232)

Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson’s rivalry delivered two unforgettable fights. Their first clash at UFC 165 was a close, five-round battle, with Jones barely defending his title. However, in the rematch at UFC 232, Jones dominated, securing a third-round TKO. 

Despite an early groin injury impacting his performance, Gustafsson accepted the loss with grace, addressing the media with honesty and maturity. 

Though controversy surrounded Jones due to an “atypical” drug test, Gustafsson refrained from making excuses, showing respect for Jones’ skill and composure in the octagon.

4. Jones vs. Daniel Cormier (UFC 182)

Jon Jones successfully defended his light heavyweight title in a hard-fought, five-round battle against Daniel Cormier. 

While Cormier applied intense pressure in the early rounds, Jones weathered the storm and took control in the final rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).

3. Jones vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC 152)

In the main event of UFC 152 in Toronto, Jon Jones defended his light heavyweight title against Vitor Belfort in a match many expected him to dominate. 

While Jones ultimately controlled the fight, Belfort nearly pulled off a shocking upset with a deep armbar in the first round, putting Jones in the most dangerous position of his career. Jones, however, managed to escape, using his ground-and-pound tactics to wear down Belfort. 

For the next three rounds, Jones used his reach advantage to keep Belfort at bay, landing powerful kicks, punches, and trademark elbows that left Belfort struggling to counter. In the fourth round, Jones secured a submission victory with an Americana, forcing Belfort to tap out. 

Despite the early scare, Jones’ length and skill ultimately proved too much for Belfort, securing yet another impressive title defense for the UFC’s pound-for-pound star.

2. Jones vs. Lyoto Machida (UFC 140)

In his early days as a light heavyweight contender and champion, Jon Jones was notably more active, fighting four times the year he claimed the title. One of his memorable defenses was against former champion Lyoto Machida.

In that fight, Jones landed a powerful takedown and delivered sharp elbows that left Machida visibly cut. When they returned to their feet, Jones caught Machida with a counter that dropped him, quickly following up with a standing guillotine choke. Moments later, Machida was rendered unconscious, marking the first submission loss of his career.

1. Jones vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (UFC 128)

At just 23, Jon Jones claimed the UFC light heavyweight title in a dominant third-round stoppage over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, living up to the pre-fight hype and making history as the youngest champion in UFC history. Earlier that same day, Jones thwarted a robbery in a New Jersey park, adding a surprising twist to his title-winning journey.

In the fight itself, Jones took control early, starting with an attempted flying knee that rattled Rua. He then spent much of the first round keeping Rua grounded, preventing the champion from gaining any offensive momentum. 

By the third round, Jones was still unscathed, while Rua bore the marks of Jones’ relentless attacks. Jones unleashed a final series of crushing blows that dropped Rua, prompting the referee to end the bout at 2:37 of the round, crowning Jones as the new champion.

Has Jon Jones Ever Lost A Fight?

Jones has one single defeat in a flawless career.

Jon Jones Net Worth

So, what is Jon Jones net worth? Jon Jones is one of the biggest names in MMA and has made a lot of money. He’s made $14.3 million in fight pay and is a top earner in the sport. Nonetheless, Jon Jones net worth is only around $3 million which shows both his successes and the controversies that have plagued his career.

His biggest payday was against Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 where he made a record $1.83 million. He’s only lost once in his professional MMA career and that was a disqualification in 2009 to Matt Hamill. 

A controversial loss that still has fans debating to this day. He’s still active and competing at the highest level and adding to his legacy and bank account in the octagon.

Career Sponsorships and Business Deals

In 2012, Jon Jones made history as the first UFC fighter to secure a global sponsorship with Nike, resulting in a signature shoe and apparel line. This endorsement opened doors for Jones, enabling him to pursue deals with other high-profile brands like Gatorade and Coca-Cola. His Hollywood agent, Ari Emanuel, also began exploring media opportunities for Jones, positioning him for a future both inside and outside the octagon.

However, in 2014, Jones announced that his Nike endorsement was terminated following a public brawl with fellow fighter Daniel Cormier during a promotional press conference for UFC 178 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. ESPN’s Darren Rovell confirmed Nike’s decision to end the partnership, likely due to the negative publicity from the altercation. The Nevada State Athletic Commission subsequently fined Jones $50,000 and assigned him 40 hours of community service.

Despite the setback, Jones remained focused on his fighting career, with his highly anticipated bout against the undefeated Cormier set for UFC 182 in January. The rivalry between the two added even more intrigue, as Jones (20-1), with his sole loss being a disqualification, prepared to face Cormier (15-0). This clash promised to be one of the most intense matchups in recent UFC history.

Although the termination of his Nike deal marked a difficult moment, Jones’ brand continued to grow under his manager Malki Kawa. Kawa noted that Jones constantly pursues new endorsements and sponsorships, and despite the controversy, he has the potential to set a new standard for UFC athletes in the endorsement world.

Jon Jones Career Earnings

Over his career, Jon Jones net worth has had a significant increase due to fight earnings, with his earnings varying based on opponent, event size, and performance.

On average, Jones’ total earnings per fight are approximately $762,000, driven largely by PPV payouts, performance bonuses, and sponsorships.

His most lucrative payouts align with his high-profile bouts, such as those against Daniel Cormier and Ciryl Gane, where his total earnings surpassed $1 million.

Total Jones Earnings

Breakdown Of Jon Jones Earnings

The breakdown of Jon Jones’ fight earnings includes his base salary, win bonuses, PPV payouts, performance bonuses, and sponsorships.

Starting with a modest base salary early in his UFC career, Jones’ earnings grew as he cemented his reputation, reaching multi-million-dollar totals in recent bouts and enlarging Jon Jones net worth.

Jon Jones Wife and Personal Life

Jessie Moses, born on September 12, 1987, is Jon Jones’ fiancée and the mother of their three daughters. Raised in New York, Moses graduated from Broome Community College and has chosen to keep her life private, with limited public appearances and no known social media presence. She is rarely featured on Jones’ social media profiles, reflecting her preference for privacy.

Jon Jones and Jessie met during high school at Endicott High School in New York, and they began dating shortly thereafter. Despite a brief period of separation when Jones attended Iowa Central Community College, the couple’s relationship endured, and after nearly a decade together, Jones proposed to Moses on Easter in 2013. Although they have not publicly confirmed their marriage, Jones has affectionately referred to Moses as his wife during a humorous social media exchange with fellow fighter Daniel Cormier.

Together, they have three daughters: Leah, Carmen, and Olivia Haven. The couple’s daughter Carmen is named in honor of Jones’ late sister, who passed away from brain cancer, adding a personal significance to her name.

Throughout Jones’ career, Moses and her family have remained a grounding presence in his life. Additionally, Jones has credited Moses’ mother, Sheila Ryan, with helping him cultivate a positive mindset through meditation, visualization, and goal-setting techniques that have played a role in his achievements.

Legacy of Legends: Jon Jones and Conor McGregor in UFC History

Jon Jones remains a towering figure in MMA as the youngest UFC champion and a dominant force in two divisions. Despite his own stellar achievements, Jones has often praised Conor McGregor for elevating the sport to new heights, describing McGregor as a game-changer who fast-forwarded MMA’s popularity by a decade. Jones admires McGregor’s success and business acumen, acknowledging that his marketability has brought a broader audience and increased sponsorships to the UFC.

Both fighters hold unique places in UFC history, each having won titles in multiple divisions. While McGregor famously coined the “champ-champ” title in 2016 by simultaneously holding belts in two weight classes, Jones stands undefeated in the octagon, now reigning as the heavyweight champion. 

Although McGregor’s recent years have been marked by injuries and outside ventures, Jones has expressed his hope that McGregor’s return would bring fresh energy and new fans to the UFC.