How Arthur Jones' Tough Love Forged UFC Legend Jon Jones

The tribute from Alex Pereira at UFC 320 resonated deeply with Jon Jones, who publicly acknowledged the gesture. Shortly after the event, Jones posted a reaction on his social media, simply writing "Wow Alex" alongside a prayer hands emoji, conveying his appreciation without the need for many words.

After several days of quiet mourning, Jon Jones broke his silence on social media to address the family tragedy. In his post, the UFC champion shared the specific details for the service celebrating his brother's life, providing clarity and information for those close to the family.

Alongside these arrangements, Jones included a heartfelt request for privacy during this difficult time. He stated that attendance should be limited to "close friends, family, and those who shared a meaningful connection with Arthur."

Arthur Jones' profound influence on his younger brother Jon was rooted in a tough, competitive childhood relationship that ultimately forged the mentality of a champion. 

According to UFC fighter Henry Cejudo's recollections of Jon Jones from a recent podcast episode of Pound4Pound, Cejudo shared that Jon Jones himself would often recount stories about his childhood.

“He’s like, ‘Dude, my older brother used to beat the s— out of me.’ He was a really high-level wrestler in the country before he transitioned into football,” Cejudo shared. 

Cejudo continued, "Why is Jon Jones the greatest of all time? It's probably because he got bullied by his brother, Arthur Jones."

Relentless pushing and "bullying" from his older brother were fundamental in shaping Jon's toughness and competitive fire, helping build him into someone many consider the UFC's Greatest of All Time.

There is a now-famous viral video of the Jones family enjoying their time by a backyard pool and wrestling playfully. Arthur can be seen easily dominating his brother Jon while playfighting:

This interaction between the brothers gives us an insight into the childhood the Jones brothers likely grew up in, with plenty of roughhousing and healthy sibling rivalry.

The Jones family has now begun the difficult process of laying their brother to rest, supported by the respect shown from fans and figures across the world of sports.