UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones returns Saturday after seven months off to put his title on the line against Dominick Reyes in the UFC 247 main event.
Jones (25-1 MMA, 19-1 UFC) has been through a lot in his career, but it seems as though this latest title reign is where his full potential could be met. UFC 247, which takes place at Toyota Center in Houston and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+, could represent the 14th UFC title-fight win for Jones, giving him the all-time record.
That footnote in history is something Jones has been pursuing for quite some time, but he’ll have to get through Reyes (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) to make it happen. Is he capable? Jones’ record below shows the depth of his accomplishments so far.
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General statistics
Jones is ranked No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA light heavyweight rankings and No. 2 pound-for-pound.
He competes in his 22nd UFC light heavyweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.
His current 17-fight UFC unbeaten streak in light heavyweight competition is the longest active streak in the division and longest in the history of the weight class. It’s also the longest UFC unbeaten streak among active fighters.
His 17-fight unbeaten streak in UFC competition is the longest in company history.
His 19 UFC light heavyweight victories are the most in divisional history.
His 10 stoppage victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are tied with Glover Teixeira for the most in modern divisional history.
His five submission victories in UFC light heavyweight competition are tied with Teixeira for most in divisional history.
He’s defeated six fighters who once held an undisputed UFC belt, the most of any active fighter in the organization.
His eight fight-night bonuses for UFC light heavyweight bouts are tied with Mauricio Rua for the most in divisional history.
His reach of 84.5 inches is longest in the light heavyweight division and longest among active UFC fighters.
Championship statistics
At 23 years, 8 months old, Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history when he defeated “Shogun” Rua for the light heavyweight title at UFC 128 in March 2011.
At 24 years, 2 months, 5 days old, he became the youngest fighter in UFC history to defend a title when he defeated Quinton Jackson at UFC 135.
His two UFC light heavyweight title reigns are tied with Randy Couture for most in divisional history.
His first title reign of 1,501 days is the longest in UFC light heavyweight history.
His 13 victories in UFC title fights are tied with Georges St-Pierre for most in company history.
His eight consecutive light heavyweight title defenses during his first reign are a record for the weight class.
His streak of eight consecutive UFC title defenses is fourth longest in history behind Demetrious Johnson (11), Anderson Silva (10) and St-Pierre (nine).
His four UFC title defenses in a 364-day span between Sept. 24, 2011, and Sept. 22, 2012, are the most by any champion in modern UFC history.
His six stoppage victories in UFC title fights are tied with Ronda Rousey for fourth most in company history behind Silva (nine), Matt Hughes (eight) and Johnson (seven).
In-fight statistics
Jones has never been knocked down or submitted in MMA competition.
His 1,728 total strikes landed in UFC light heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.
His 1,369 significant strikes landed in UFC light heavyweight competition are the most in divisional history.
His 138 significant strikes landed against Teixeira at UFC 172 are the second-most in a UFC light heavyweight title fight. Daniel Cormier holds the record with 140 significant strikes vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 192.
His significant strike accuracy of 57.6 percent in UFC light heavyweight competition is the second-highest in divisional history behind Fabio Maldonado (60.2 percent).
His significant strike defense rate of 65.8 percent in UFC light heavyweight competition is highest among active fighters in the weight class.
His 40 takedowns landed in UFC light heavyweight competition are fourth most in divisional history behind Corey Anderson (53), Rashad Evans (50) and Ryan Bader (46).
He’s been taken down only twice in his 27-fight career, with 35 of 37 takedowns defended (95 percent) in his UFC tenure. Gustafsson dragged him to the mat once at UFC 165. Cormier also took him down once – a slam he immediately got up from – at UFC 182.
His takedown defense rate of 95 percent is the second-best in UFC history behind Jimmie Rivera (95.5 percent).
He’s one of three fighters in UFC history to earn two fourth-round finishes. He accomplished the feat at UFC 152 and UFC 135.
His 10 submission attempts in UFC light heavyweight competition are the fourth most in divisional history behind Renato Sobral (15), Stephan Bonnar (13) and Teixeira (11).
He’s one of only two fighters in UFC history to win two fights via standing submissions. Patrick Smith also accomplished the feat.
His total fight time of 5:15:15 in UFC light heavyweight competition is most in divisional history.
