Jon Jones made his debut for the promotion at UFC 87 in 2008 beating Andre Gusmao by unanimous decision.
Jones took the fight on just two week’s notice and although he was unable to get the finish, he displayed a full range of high-level skills, including this fine knee to the chin.
Jones’s MMA record reads 27 wins, one loss and one no contest.
The one defeat came against Matt Hamill and would you believe it came from the very dominant full mount position you see below.
Jones was disqualified for illegal 12–6 elbows – striking straight up and down – but on 2 November 2024 (15 days ago) the UFC finally made that action legal.
UFC president Dana White has since been asked whether the defeat can be wiped from Jones’ record but that looks unlikely.
It took Jones just eight fights in the UFC to land the light-heavyweight title, becoming the youngest-ever champion in the promotion at 23 and sparking an era of domination.
Jones beat Maurício Rua in round three. His winning sequence started with a body shot and ended with a knee to the body.
Jones broke the record for the most consecutive light-heavyweight title defences when he put on an all-time classic with Alexander Gustafsson.
The two fighters were extremely well-matched through four rounds of intense action but Jones found that extra gear in the fifth to prevail.