Is Jon Jones’ Legacy better than…

Where does Jon Jones feature on the all-time list? Where is Jon Jones on the GOAT list? What is Jon Jones’ legacy? Did Jon Jones retire because he was scared of Aspinall? Do the PED failures affect Jon Jones’ legacy?

We compare the legacy of Jon Jones in comparison to a number of agreed-upon legends of the game and see if all of the plaudits are really justified.

Is Jon Jones’ Legacy better than…

Demetrious Johnson

Without a doubt, one of the greatest flyweights the sport has ever seen, Demetrious Johnson has proven that not only can he do it in the UFC, but he can also do it in a different organisation.

Johnson holds the record for the most consecutive title defences in UFC history with 11. Across these 11 wins, Johnson often beat his opponents at their own game. This is certainly similar to Jones. The long-time light heavyweight champion made eight defences of his title, but along the way, also defeated people at their own game.

Johnson’s legacy, however, comes into question when you consider that he never had the trilogy fight with Henry Cejudo. Once he lost to the Olympic gold medalist, he was drafted to ONE Championship. Also, unfortunately for Johnson, the flyweight division is not the most fan-friendly in the sport. He also never truly tested himself when a move up to bantamweight was often on the cards, Johnson remained at 125lbs and didn’t move up.

His utter dominance in the sport, willingness to fight anyone in the division and ability to do it in two organisations confirm a better legacy than Jones’.

Georges St Pierre

There is little doubt that Georges St Pierre is one of the greatest mixed martial artists to grace the octagon. The Canadian not only became a multi-weight world champion, but he also avenged his only UFC losses and never failed a drug test (something that we can’t say about Jon Jones…).

Making his debut back in 2004, GSP competed for the vacant welterweight strap in just his third UFC outing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be; however, he would get his revenge two years later, knocking out Matt Hughes to become the welterweight king.

In a shocking upset, he’d lose the belt in his next fight to Matt Serra, however, in typical GSP fashion, he would avenge that loss to Serra two fights later. From there on out, GSP would go on a nine-fight undefeated run, beating names including Dan Hardy, Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz. He ended his epic welterweight run with a close fight against Johnny Hendricks, ultimately hanging up his gloves after that bout.

In epic fashion, however, Rush would return to action against Michael Bisping at middleweight to contend for the strap. Not only did he win, but he did so via finish to win a second belt in a second division. His reign would only last for 34 days, however. Due to injury, GSP relinquished the belt and retired, this time for good.

He didn’t hold up the division, despite only holding the belt for a little over a month. It’s also worth noting that he never failed any drug tests… something we can’t say about Jon Jones. A better legacy in the sport than Jones, without a doubt.

Anderson Silva

Ah, now there is one key thing that these two men have in common: neither like USADA.

Anderson Silva had a legendary middleweight run, knocking out and submitting some of the biggest names in the sport and doing so in a dominant fashion. He did this against a number of opponents who were juiced themselves, with names James Irvin, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar all failing drug tests after losing to Silva.

Silva would lose his middleweight belt to Chris Weidman and was unable to regain it in their rematch. He would then, however, go on to fail a drug test himself after beating Nick Diaz.

His UFC run after losing the belt is what ultimately rules him out of ‘the greatest UFC legacy’. He would finish his 1-7-1NC, with the only win coming in controversial fashion.

So why is there a question about Jon Jones’ legacy?

If you just look at Jon Jones’ record, it’s phenomenal. Not one man has bettered him and with only one loss on his record (a DQ), he’s picked up 28 wins, of which 18 have come via finish. He became the youngest ever UFC champion at just 23 years old, something that no one else has come close to. He’s a two-weight world champion and has headlined an incredible 17 PPV cards. So, why do people question him?

It’s the lack of rolling the dice. At UFC 151, Dan Henderson and Jon Jones were set to meet each other in the main event, however, just eight days out, Henderson tore his MCL, forcing him out of the event. Dana White took to the press, stating that UFC 151 would be cancelled due to Jones’ unwillingness to face Chael Sonnen on short notice… not a good look.

Next came UFC 182, where Jones failed a drug test ahead of the bout. He tested positive for cocaine. Despite a failed test, the drug was not banned out of competition by WADA, so Jones wasn’t stopped from competing at UFC 182.

UFC 200 was another ‘blip’ on the record of Jon Jones. He failed yet another drug test. This time, it was for a banned substance, forcing him out of his scheduled rematch with Daniel Cormier. In what was shceduled to be the biggest fight card in UFC history, the main event was now lost.

Jones did eventually rematch Cormier, this time at UFC 214. He won the fight via third-round TKO, however, it would be turned to another no contest because, you guessed it, another failed drug test. Bones would be stripped of the belt and suspended from action.

At UFC 232, he was scheduled for his return to the octagon in a rematch against Alexander Gustafsson after their epic fight in 2013. Set to take place in Las Vegas, Jones returned an abnormal drug test and wasn’t granted a license in Nevada. Instead, because of Jones’ issue, the entire event was moved on a week’s notice to Los Angeles.

Out of the Octagon Issues

In 2015, Jones was arrested due to a hit-and-run incident where he crashed into the back of a pregnant woman and fled the scene. As a result of this, he was stripped of the UFC title and his scheduled match-up with Anthony Johnson was cancelled.

After the 2021 Hall of Fame, Jones was arrested for battery and domestic violence. Despite initially being charged, those charges were dropped; however, Jones was banned from his long-time gym.

Four other arrests highlight the worst elements of Jones’ personality, including DUI, another battery charge and threats to kill.

Regardless of your viewpoint on Jones, no one can deny him as a martial artist; it’s the issues that surround that greatness that lead to questions…