Few fighters in MMA history have been as dominant—or as controversial—as Jon “Bones” Jones. Widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, Jones has held multiple UFC titles, shattered records, and defeated legends inside the octagon. However, his incredible talent has often been overshadowed by scandals, failed drug tests, and legal troubles that have repeatedly derailed his career.
From his hit-and-run incident in 2015 to multiple suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), Jones’ career has been a rollercoaster of brilliance and self-destruction. Despite these setbacks, he has always managed to return to the sport, reclaiming titles and solidifying his legacy. But the question remains: Has Jon Jones truly redeemed himself, or will his past forever stain his legacy?
In this deep dive, we’ll explore the dark side of Jon Jones, examining his biggest controversies, the impact they had on his career, and whether his latest comeback as UFC Heavyweight Champion marks a genuine redemption—or just another chapter in his turbulent story.
Early Warning Signs: The First Controversies
Jon Jones’ rise to superstardom in the UFC was nothing short of spectacular. At just 23 years old, he became the youngest champion in UFC history after dismantling Maurício “Shogun” Rua in 2011 to claim the light heavyweight title. His dominance inside the cage was undeniable, but outside of it, troubling signs began to emerge early in his career.
2012 DUI Arrest: The First Public Incident
In May 2012, Jones was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after crashing his $190,000 Bentley into a pole in Binghamton, New York. The incident shocked fans, as Jones had built an image as a disciplined and spiritual athlete. Instead of serving jail time, he paid fines and had his license suspended.
At the time, many dismissed this as a young fighter making a mistake, but it was the first indication that Jones’ personal struggles might become a recurring problem.
2014 UFC 178 Brawl with Daniel Cormier
While not a legal issue, Jones’ infamous press conference brawl with Daniel Cormier in August 2014 was another sign of his growing recklessness. During a UFC 178 media event, the two fighters engaged in a heated faceoff, which quickly escalated into a full-fledged physical altercation on stage.
Off-air, things got even worse. In a leaked ESPN recording, Jones was caught making explicit death threats toward Cormier, tarnishing his reputation further. Though this incident added to the hype of their eventual fight, it also showcased a lack of self-control that would later lead to much bigger problems.
These early incidents, while concerning, were nothing compared to what was coming next. As Jones’ fame grew, so did his troubles outside the cage, leading to failed drug tests, hit-and-run incidents, and multiple suspensions that threatened to end his career for good.
Drug Test Failures & Performance-Enhancing Drug Allegations
Despite his undeniable skill inside the octagon, Jon Jones’ legacy has been repeatedly tainted by failed drug tests and performance-enhancing drug (PED) allegations. While some of these failures led to temporary suspensions, others resulted in title strips, fight cancellations, and long-term damage to his reputation.
First Failed Drug Test – Cocaine Use (2015)
The first major red flag came in January 2015, when Jones tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine, during an out-of-competition drug test ahead of his fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 182. Shockingly, because the substance was not banned outside of competition, Jones was still allowed to fight.
He went on to defeat Cormier via unanimous decision, but just days later, the failed drug test was made public, forcing him to enter a rehab program—which he reportedly left after just one day.
UFC 200 Disaster – Banned Substances (2016)
The biggest setback of Jones’ career came in July 2016, just days before his highly anticipated rematch with Daniel Cormier at UFC 200. Jones was pulled from the event after testing positive for clomiphene and letrozole, substances commonly used to mask PED use or restart testosterone production after steroid cycles.
The incident was devastating for both the UFC and fans. UFC President Dana White called it one of the biggest event disasters in the company’s history, and Jones received a one-year suspension from USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency).
Turinabol Controversy & UFC 214 (2017-2018)
After serving his suspension, Jones returned in July 2017 at UFC 214, defeating Daniel Cormier via brutal head-kick knockout to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. However, just weeks later, it was revealed that Jones had tested positive for turinabol, an anabolic steroid.
- The result? Jones was stripped of the title, and his victory over Cormier was overturned to a No Contest (NC).
- USADA initially gave him a four-year suspension, but it was later reduced to 15 months, citing Jones’ “substantial assistance” in other anti-doping investigations.
Pulsing Theory & UFC 232 Relocation (2018)
Jones returned in December 2018 for a rematch with Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232, but yet again, drug testing issues arose. This time, USADA detected traces of turinabol in his system, but controversially ruled that it was due to “pulsing”—meaning leftover traces from his previous failed test rather than new PED use.
Since the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to sanction the fight, UFC moved the entire event from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on short notice, an unprecedented decision that led to major backlash.
Did Jon Jones Cheat? The Ongoing Debate
While Jones and his team insist that he has never intentionally taken PEDs, critics argue that his pattern of failed tests and suspicious substances tells a different story. Many fans and fighters—including Daniel Cormier—believe his victories are tainted, while others point to inconsistent USADA rulings as a reason to question whether Jones received special treatment.
Regardless of where the truth lies, one thing is clear: Jones’ drug test failures have permanently damaged his reputation, and many still question whether he would have been as dominant without the cloud of PED allegations hanging over him.
Legal Troubles: Hit-and-Run, Domestic Violence & More
Jon Jones’ issues outside the octagon go beyond failed drug tests—he has also faced multiple legal troubles, including a hit-and-run incident, domestic violence accusations, and numerous arrests. These controversies have repeatedly put his UFC career in jeopardy and raised serious concerns about his personal life.
2015 Hit-and-Run Incident
One of the biggest scandals of Jones’ career occurred in April 2015 when he was involved in a felony hit-and-run accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- Jones ran a red light and crashed his car into a pregnant woman’s vehicle, breaking her arm.
- Instead of staying at the scene, he fled on foot, leaving behind his rental car, cash, and marijuana paraphernalia.
- Witnesses reported that Jones ran back to the car briefly—to grab a handful of cash—before fleeing again.
The fallout was severe:
✔️ Stripped of his UFC Light Heavyweight Title
✔️ Suspended indefinitely by the UFC
✔️ Plead guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and sentenced to probation with community service
While Jones avoided jail time, this incident shattered his “role model” image and marked the beginning of a downward spiral in his personal life.
2019 Battery Charge – Strip Club Incident
In July 2019, Jones was charged with battery after allegedly slapping, choking, and forcibly kissing a waitress at a strip club in Albuquerque.
- The victim claimed Jones was aggressive and inappropriate, but Jones dismissed the accusations as a misunderstanding.
- He later took a plea deal, paying fines but avoiding jail time.
This incident further damaged his reputation, especially as he was trying to re-establish himself as a mature and responsible champion.
2021 Domestic Violence Arrest
Perhaps Jones’ most disturbing legal case happened in September 2021, just hours after being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
- Jones was arrested in Las Vegas on charges of domestic battery against his fiancée and damaging a police vehicle.
- Security footage from a hotel showed Jones’ fiancée with a bloody lip, and she reportedly told police that Jones had gotten physical with her.
- Jones was later released on bail and denied the allegations.
Despite avoiding serious legal consequences, this incident led to intense public backlash, and even the UFC seemed to lose faith in him—with UFC President Dana White expressing frustration over his repeated troubles.
Jones later claimed he quit drinking alcohol after this incident, stating it was the root of many of his problems. But given his history of repeated offenses, many fans and critics remain skeptical about whether he has truly changed.
Suspensions & UFC Fallout
Over the years, Jones has faced multiple suspensions, title strips, and lengthy absences from the sport due to his repeated controversies. Despite being one of the most talented fighters in UFC history, his own actions have derailed his career multiple times.
First UFC Suspension (2015 – Hit-and-Run Case)
After his hit-and-run incident, Jones was stripped of his UFC Light Heavyweight title and suspended indefinitely. He spent nearly a year out of competition, missing some of the biggest fights of his career.
One-Year USADA Suspension (2016 – UFC 200 PED Violation)
In 2016, Jones was set to fight Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 200, but just days before the fight, he tested positive for banned substances.
- He was pulled from the event, causing major embarrassment for the UFC.
- USADA suspended him for one year, ruling that Jones was “reckless but not intentional” in taking PEDs.
This further damaged his reputation, and many fans started questioning whether his entire career was built on PED use.
15-Month Suspension (2017-2018 – Turinabol Case)
Jones made a comeback in 2017, defeating Daniel Cormier in a brutal knockout at UFC 214—only for the result to be overturned after another failed drug test.
- He was stripped of his title once again.
- USADA initially gave him a four-year suspension, but it was reduced to 15 months due to his “substantial assistance” in other doping investigations.
This led to huge controversy, with many accusing USADA of giving Jones special treatment due to his status as a UFC superstar.
UFC’s Growing Frustration
By 2019, Jones had finally returned to competition and reclaimed the Light Heavyweight Championship, but his repeated legal issues, PED scandals, and public outbursts had strained his relationship with the UFC.
- Dana White repeatedly expressed disappointment, stating that Jones could have been the greatest of all time—but keeps sabotaging himself.
- Fans grew increasingly divided, with some still calling him the GOAT while others labeled him a “cheater” and “liar.”
Heavyweight Move & Redemption Attempt
After three years away from the sport, Jones finally made his highly anticipated move to the heavyweight division in 2023. He defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 to win the UFC Heavyweight Title, seemingly completing his redemption arc.
However, with Jones, there is always a lingering fear—will his past demons return, or has he truly turned his life around?
