Top five greatest Jon Jones fights in UFC

Jon Jones has officially retired from UFC!

In a whirlwind ending to an era in MMA, Tom Aspinall has been upgraded to Undisputed Heavyweight champion after the UFC’s announcement of the current Champion Jon Jones’ formal retirement.

“Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC,” stated Dana White.

Dana White’s decision, announced at the UFC Fight Night post-fight press conference in Azerbaijan, brings an end to seven months of uncertainty in the heavyweight class. After serving as interim champion for 19 months, Aspinall becomes only the third British fighter to hold the UFC title.

Jones won the heavyweight championship in March 2023, defeating Ciryl Gane, and faced Stipe Miocic in November, despite Aspinall earning the interim belt the year before. Jones announced his retirement on Saturday. Let’s now look at his top five best fights in his UFC career.

5. Mauricio Rua – UFC 128

Jon Jones made history at UFC 128 when he became the youngest champion in UFC history at just 23 years old, dominantly defeating Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Stepping in on just five weeks’ notice after Rashad Evans pulled out due to injury, Jones had just submitted Ryan Bader and was told post-fight he’d be getting a title shot.

Against Rua, Jones showcased his trademark creativity and unrelenting pace. He picked apart the veteran with elbows, kicks, and pressure before finishing him in the third round with a vicious body shot and knee to the head. It was a star-making performance and the beginning of one of MMA’s greatest legacies.

Also Read: Jon Jones faces fresh criminal charges amid abrupt UFC retirement

4. Lyoto Machida – UFC 140

At UFC 140, Jon Jones delivered one of the most violent and unforgettable submissions in UFC history, finishing Lyoto Machida with a standing guillotine choke that left the Brazilian legend unconscious.

The fight started competitively, with Machida landing some sharp strikes in the first round, catching Jones by surprise. At the time, Jones was riding a wave of dominant finishes and may not have expected such resistance.

However, once Jones settled in during the second round, he took full control. After landing a brutal elbow that stunned Machida, Jones locked in a tight guillotine choke against the cage.

Within seconds, Machida went limp, and Jones let go, allowing his opponent to collapse face-first onto the canvas. It was a chilling moment that instantly became one of the most iconic finishes of Jones’ career, showcasing his lethal mix of skill, power, and killer instinct.

3. Ciryl Gane – UFC 285

In 2015, Jon Jones had already defeated nearly every top contender in the light heavyweight division, leaving fans and analysts speculating about a potential move to heavyweight to face then-champion Fabricio Werdum. While the idea gained traction, Jones chose to remain at 205 pounds, delaying the long-anticipated jump in weight.

Nearly a decade later, the move finally happened. At UFC 285, Jones made his heavyweight debut against top-ranked contender Ciryl Gane. Despite a three-year layoff and questions about how he’d perform in a new weight class, Jones looked as dominant as ever. Gane came in as the betting favorite, with many backing his speed and striking to overwhelm Jones.

Instead, Jones made it look easy. He quickly secured a takedown and locked in a slick guillotine choke, forcing Gane to tap in just over two minutes. With that win, Jones became a two-division UFC champion, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history.

Also Read: Dominick Reyes talks Jon Jones, 2025 goals, fighting Nikita Krylov & more ahead of UFC 314 [Exclusive]

2. Daniel Cormier – UFC 182

The build-up to UFC 182 between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier was one of the most personal and hostile rivalries in MMA history. What began as a standard title booking quickly turned into a bitter feud, featuring heated insults, a wild brawl during a face-off, and even shots at each other’s families. Tensions were so high that many expected the actual fight to fall short of the hype, but it didn’t.

Inside the Octagon, Jones vs Cormier delivered a gritty, high-level war. Surprisingly, Jones outwrestled the Olympic-caliber grappler, taking Cormier down five times and controlling much of the action in the clinch. His dirty boxing, elbows, and striking in close exchanges gave him the edge throughout the fight.

Jones retained the UFC light heavyweight title by unanimous decision, but more importantly, he gained a significant psychological victory over his greatest rival. The win cemented his dominance and further solidified his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

1. Alexander Gustafsson – UFC 165

Jon Jones holds two wins over Alexander Gustafsson, one by TKO and one by decision. But it’s their first encounter at UFC 165 that stands out as one of the most impressive and iconic performances of Jones’ career.

At just 26 years old, Jones had dominated every opponent in his path, fighters like Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, and Rashad Evans posed little threat. That changed when he stepped into the Octagon with Gustafsson.

The Swede, who matched Jones in both height and reach, pushed the champion like no one had before. Gustafsson stuffed takedowns, outstruck Jones early, and even cut him, something rarely seen. Jones, known for controlling the pace, suddenly found himself in a grueling, back-and-forth war.

Despite the adversity, Jones dug deep, rallied in the championship rounds, and edged out a unanimous decision in what was later named the 2013 Fight of the Year. To this day, it remains one of the greatest and most hard-fought battles in UFC history.

What are your favorite fights from Jon Jones’ illustrious UFC career? Let us know your picks in the comments below!

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