Jon Jones

Two weeks after his official retirement announcement, Jones says he has re-entered the testing programme and wants to return for the UFC card at the White House in 2026. Dana White subsequently reiterates that he never seriously considered Jones for the event, citing his past reliability problems and hip issues.

State of the evidence

Documented

A Drug Free Sport International employee accuses Jones of threatening behaviour during a home test, leading to two misdemeanour charges: assault and interference with communication. Jones pleads not guilty. In October 2024, an agreement provides for their dismissal after four hours of anger management and 90 days without an offence.

Attribution

Personally implicated

After Tom Aspinall becomes interim champion in November 2023, Jones pursues a fight against Stipe Miocic rather than immediate unification. Aspinall remains interim champion for approximately 19 months and several heavyweights call for Jones to be stripped of the belt if he does not commit to facing him. On 21 June 2025, Dana White announces Jones's retirement and Aspinall is promoted to undisputed champion.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Jones is prosecuted for allegedly leaving the scene of a crash in Albuquerque and subsequently for an offence connected with a telephone call. He denies involvement. The New Mexico prosecutor's office ultimately files a nolle prosequi, explaining that further investigation provides grounds for finding his alibi credible.

Attribution

Accused

Course of the proceedings

1. Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome

Hours after his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame, Jones is arrested in Las Vegas following a call concerning a domestic incident. According to the police report, his fiancée had blood on her face and clothing, and allegations of violence were made. The domestic battery charge is nevertheless dropped. Jones pleads no contest to damaging a police vehicle and is required to pay restitution and complete anger management.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Jones is arrested in Albuquerque and initially charged with aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open alcohol container and failure to provide proof of insurance, among other offences. A handgun is found in the vehicle. He pleads guilty to DWI; the other charges are dropped. The agreement provides for 96 hours of house arrest, one year's probation, 48 hours of community service, 90 days of outpatient treatment and an ignition interlock.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Jones and Dana White publicly disagree over the fee sought for a move to heavyweight against Francis Ngannou. Jones calls White a liar, demands that their exchanges be made public and raises the possibility of release from his contract. He ultimately relinquishes the light heavyweight title in August 2020, saying he does not feel fairly paid.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A waitress at an Albuquerque strip club accuses Jones of putting her in a chokehold and touching her inappropriately. He denies the allegations. Prosecutors indicate that corroborating witnesses are lacking and that the complainant has stopped cooperating. Jones pleads no contest to disorderly conduct, with full dismissal scheduled after 90 days without further incidents.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following his victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, Jones tests positive for the M3 metabolite of turinabol. The result leads to the fight being changed to a no-contest, loss of the title, a 205,000-dollar fine and revocation of his California licence. An independent arbitrator ultimately imposes a 15-month suspension.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A test of Jones reveals a minute quantity of the same M3 metabolite previously sanctioned in 2017. Nevada lacks sufficient time to examine his licence before UFC 232. The UFC therefore moves the entire card to Los Angeles six days before the event, prompting criticism from fighters and supporters facing extra costs and travel changes.

State of the evidence

Documented

While still on probation in the 2015 case, Jones receives five traffic citations, including one for drag racing, and has an exceptionally aggressive exchange with the police officer. He is arrested for a probation violation, admits the violation and is ordered to undertake anger management, driving classes and community service. In August, he pleads guilty to illegally modifying his exhaust and improperly displaying his number plate; the drag-racing, exhibition-driving and lane-maintenance charges are dropped.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

A USADA test conducted on 16 June 2016 detects clomiphene and a letrozole metabolite. Jones is removed from UFC 200 days before his fight. An independent arbitration panel imposes the maximum period of ineligibility applicable to this first violation: one year.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

An out-of-competition test in December 2014 detects a cocaine metabolite in Jones before UFC 182. As the substance was not prohibited out of competition under the applicable rules, he is permitted to fight. The UFC nevertheless fines him 25,000 dollars for breaching its code of conduct.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Jones leaves the scene of a crash in Albuquerque after his vehicle collides with that of a pregnant woman, who suffers a broken arm. He pleads guilty to leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. The court grants a conditional discharge with up to 18 months' probation and numerous community obligations. The UFC had meanwhile suspended him and stripped him of his title.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated

During a promotional face-off in Las Vegas, Jones and Daniel Cormier fight in the MGM Grand lobby. The Nevada State Athletic Commission fines Jones 50,000 dollars and imposes 40 hours of community service, a substantially heavier sanction than Cormier's.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Jon Jones is arrested in Binghamton, New York, after crashing a Bentley into a pole. He pleads guilty to a drink-driving offence. He is fined 1,000 dollars, ordered to install an ignition interlock device and attend a victim impact programme, and has his licence suspended for six months.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following Dan Henderson's injury, the UFC proposes Chael Sonnen as a replacement eight days before the fight. Jones, advised by his coach Greg Jackson, refuses. For the first time in its history, the UFC cancels an entire numbered event, and Dana White publicly attributes the cancellation to Jones and his team.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated