Jon Jones is part of sports royalty.
“Bones” is a former two-time UFC light heavyweight champion and UFC heavyweight champion, and is scheduled to defend his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on Saturday night.
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Jones submitted Cyril Jean at UFC 285 last March to claim the heavyweight titleCredit: Getty
The 37-year-old is widely known as the UFC GOAT, although he may not be the most talented athlete in his family.
John, older brother Arthur, and younger brother Chandler were born and raised in Rochester, New York, to parents Arthur Jr. and Camille Jones.
All three excelled in their respective sports, with Arthur and Chandler making their mark in the NFL by each winning a Super Bowl.
Arthur played college football at Syracuse University and was selected in the fifth round (157th) of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
The former defensive tackle played three seasons in Baltimore and won Super Bowl XLVII over the San Francisco 49ers at the end of the 2012 season.
He later played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Commanders in 2017 before retiring from the sport, having made approximately $22 million during his professional football career.
Younger brother Chandler was more accomplished in the National Football League.
The defensive end also played college football at Syracuse and was selected by the New England Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
He starred alongside legendary quarterback Tom Brady during the Patriots’ 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.
The four-time Pro Bowler then signed a massive five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016.
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Jones’ older brother Arthur was drafted by the Ravens where he won the Super Bowl (Credit: Getty).
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His younger brother Chandler made a fortune in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the PatriotsCredit: Getty
The two-time first-team All-Pro joined the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 and was released in September 2023. He is currently a free agent.
The younger Jones amassed a large fortune playing football. According to Sportrac, the 34-year-old has made more than $131 million in the NFL, meaning the Jones brothers have combined to make $152 million in professional football earnings.
This destroys Jones’ career earnings, despite his almost unparalleled greatness.
According to Front Office Sports, Jones has $7.3 million in career earnings and is the highest-paid UFC heavyweight of all time.
That’s about 21 times less than what his brothers made in the NFL.
Not that he would care. He’s on Mount Rushmore in his own sport while Arthur and Chandler are nowhere near discussing the NFL GOAT.
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Jones and his brother Arthur have attended UFC events together over the yearsCredit: Getty
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Jones has yet to meet his match in the octagon and is undefeatedCredit: Getty
At 23 years old, Jones became the youngest UFC champion ever — a record that still stands today — when he defeated former 205-pound kingpin Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
He has been at the top of the fight game ever since, holding the light heavyweight records for most title defenses, most wins, and longest winning streak.
Jones has never been stopped or outclassed, his only “loss” being a controversial disqualification for a previously banned move that many do not consider a defeat.
Watch Jon Jones’ reaction inside the cage as a UFC star puts the veteran to sleep after a stunning first-round knockout
After a three-year hiatus, the 37-year-old moved up to heavyweight last year at UFC 285 and submitted Cyril Jean to capture the vacant heavyweight belt.
He became one of only nine fighters to win belts in multiple divisions.
Now, he’s set to face heavyweight legend Miocic in a bout initially booked for UFC 295 in November 2023.
However, Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle in training, postponing the fight for almost a full year.
Finally, the deciding match between Jones and Miocic will begin on Saturday night, live from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
