What We Know About Jon Jones' UFC Earnings
Mia Russell Highlights
- Jon Jones earned the nickname "Bones" from his coach in high school, and he began his MMA career in 2008 with a 6-0 amateur record.
- Jones became the youngest UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in history at age 24, defeating Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
- Jones has had a controversial career with multiple drug test violations, but he has still earned a substantial amount of money, with an estimated net worth of $15-20 million dollars.
Jon Jones became one of the best fighters in UFC history based on his overall performance and passion inside the octagon. He is also the youngest champion in UFC history in the light heavyweight division and has had various honors, such as most consecutive title defenses (8 defenses) and longest unbeaten streak to date (19 wins). By his peers and fighter fans, Jon Jones is arguably considered to be the greatest of all time. Not only has he won fights and beaten some of the best, but he has also dominated the competition in several instances. With that said, does that make Jon Jones the highest paid fighter in UFC history? Let's find out!
10 Things You Didn't Know About UFC Fighter Jon Jones
Jon "Bones" Jones has won many fights in his MMA career. Jones has won gold in UFC, but there are some things that fans don't know about the fighter!Wins | Losses | Accomplishments | Misc. Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
27 (Total) | 1 (Total) | UFC Heavyweight Champion (Current, 1x) | Longest Unbeaten Streak in UFC History (19 Wins) |
10 by KO/TKO | UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (2x) | Fight of the Night (4x) | |
7 by Submission | UFC Hall of Fame (Fight Wing) | Knockout of the Night (1x) | |
10 by Decision | Submission of the Night (2x) | ||
Performance of the Night (2x) |
Jon Jones Climbed To The Top Of UFC
Began UFC Career In 2008
Jon Jones earned the nickname "Bones" from his days as a defensive lineman in high school, given to him by his coach because of his unique body frame. The nickname stuck, as Jones began his MMA career in April 2008, going to a 6-0 record in his amateur career and also became the USKBA Light Heavyweight Champion by defeating Moyses Gabin at BCX 5. Jones made his UFC debut in August 2008, as his first fight saw him substitute for Tomasz Drwal as Jones defeated Andre Gusmao by unanimous decision.
At UFC 94, Jones would defeat Stephan Bonnar by unanimous decision as he took the UFC veteran to his limit, impressing the judges and fighter fans with his unique striking abilities, such as his spinning back kicks and back elbows, respectively. At UFC 100, Jones scored his first submission victory by forcing Jake O'Brien to tap out to the Guillotine Choke. Jon Jones earned $14,000 for the fight, which included $7,000 for his base salary and $7,000 as a winning bonus.
Jon Jones' Big Break As UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Suspended For Failing Drug Test
Jon Jones' training partner, Rashad Evans, was scheduled to challenge Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 128. Evans was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury. Joe Rogan announced that Jon Jones would be his replacement. Jones defeated Rua by TKO after three rounds, becoming the youngest UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in history at age 24. For this championship fight, Jones earned $140,000 (Base: $70,000 + Win Bonus: $70,000), a huge increase compared to his debut fight at UFC 94 against Bonnar.
Jones would dominate the Light Heavyweight Division, building upon his legacy and engaging in a rivalry of sorts with Alexander Gustafsson. Jones was expected to defend his championship against Anthony Johnson at UFC 187, but was suspended due to a drug test violation for having cocaine in his system. UFC immediately stripped him of the Light Heavyweight Championship. Jones began a unique rise and fall, of being reinstated by UFC on two other occasions due to various drug-related violations, including testing positive for anabolic steroids.
Ultimately, Jones made his return at UFC 232, defeating Alexander Gustafsson to win the vacated UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. His return fight against Gustafsson earned him $500,000 with a no-win bonus. Jones defended his championship in several more fights, including setting a record by defeating Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, thus earning Jones the record for the most wins in UFC title fight history, setting a new record at 14 wins.
Jon Jones Had A Pay Dispute With Dana White
Became UFC Heavyweight Champion
Jon Jones vacated the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship following a pay dispute with UFC President Dana White in May 2020. "Bones" had wanted a fight with Heavyweight contender, Francis Ngannou. However, according to White, he claimed that Jones wanted "Deontay Wilder money", which was reported to be somewhere between $25-30 million dollars, based on Wilder's rematch with Tyson Fury in February 2020. Because of this, Jones announced that he was vacating his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship and spoke about his desire to move up to the next level.
Jon Jones Should Be Stripped Of UFC Heavyweight Title, Says Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall makes a case for Jon Jones to be stripped of his UFC title.Jon Jones made his return at UFC 285, three years after his last fight, defeating Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship via submission (Guillotine Choke). Jones earned roughly $3,000,000 for the fight. Jones was scheduled to fight Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 recently, but had to withdraw after suffering a torn pectoral tendon.
Despite his controversial drug issues, Jon Jones is a huge draw for UFC. He has earned the respect of many fighter fans across the globe and is, pound-for-pound, one of the best in the MMA industry. In total, Jones has earned $14,300,000 in his MMA career, with an estimated net worth of $15-20 million dollars. Jones' biggest payout (to date) was against Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, where he earned approximately $1,830,000. Before all is said and done about the career of Jon Jones, he may in fact become the highest paid fighter of all-time!
