What is Jon Jones’s UFC record? Unpacking the mystery behind Bones’ one career loss

Jon Jones is one of the greatest fighters to have ever competed inside the octagon. He has bested everyone he's faced in the octagon, including the man he lost to.

This is testament to the fact that the only man who can beat Jon Jones is - well, himself. The former light heavyweight champion is no stranger to controversy outside the octagon, owing to his past reckless behavior. However, within the octagon, 'Bones' is undisputed.

So far, Jon Jones has 26 wins, one DQ loss and one no-contest bout. Matt Hamill is the man that Jones lost to via disqualification in 2009.

Jon Jones met Matt Hamill at the co-main event of the TUF season 10 finale. After trading shots on the feet, Jones managed to secure a foot-trip, thus taking 'The Hammer' down. Jones then proceeded to mount Hamill and land a vicious ground-and-pound on the TUF season 3 alum.

In one of those shots, Jones landed a 12-to-6 elbow, which is illegal in the UFC. A 12-to-6 elbow is one where you land an elbow shot at a 90 degree angle on a grounded opponent. While front-elbows are allowed, 12-to-6 elbows remain banned to this day in MMA.

Referee Steve Mazzagatti immediately stopped the action and proceeded to deduct a point from Jones for the illegal blows before calling in the doctor. The doctor deemed Hamill unable to continue, and the judges gave the victory to 'The Hammer'.

On Jon Jones' unblemished record, this is his only 'loss' to date. Technically, he beat Hamill and rendered him unable to continue. However, he broke the rules and paid the price for it - much like his antics outside the octagon, along with his alleged PED use.

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Jon Jones was stripped off his title, twice

Jon Jones has a near-perfect MMA record, but the controversies and allegations of steroid use have marred his legacy. At light heavyweight, he was stripped off his title twice; once for a hit-and-run incident involving a pregnant woman, and the other when his win over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 was overturned when he tested positive for a banned substance after the fight.

Jones fought his last fight as LHW champion in May 2020 against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. 'The Devastator' gave 'Bones' one of his toughest fights to date in the latter's MMA career. Following the victory, the New York native vacated the 205-pound title stating contract disputes with the UFC.

Around the same time, it was rumored that Jones was targeting a heavyweight bout with former divisional champion Francis Ngannou. In the three years since his last fight, everyone in the MMA community was sure that Jones would challenge Ngannou, who eventually became champion.

However, with the Cameroonian leaving the organization due to contract disputes of his own, Jones was booked against Ciryl Gane for UFC 285. He has a shot at redeeming himself with a win over 'Bon Gamin' and his claim at a second belt.