Jon Jones Thwarts Mugging on the Day He Became UFC’s Youngest Champion
Recently, Jon Jones made headlines by reversing his retirement from mixed martial arts, expressing a desire to compete at the UFC White House card in July 2026.
Having announced his retirement last month, many interpreted it as a changing of the guard, especially with Brit Tom Aspinall being named the undisputed heavyweight champion by Dana White.
Messages celebrating Jones’ illustrious career poured in, recognizing him as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. Jones debuted in the UFC in August 2008 and became the youngest champion just three years later.
At just 23, he entered a light heavyweight title match against Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC 128, having already secured three consecutive victories. The fight began dramatically with Jones landing a flying knee, setting the tone for his dominance throughout the match.
Remarkably, just hours before his championship fight, Jones intervened to save an elderly woman from an armed mugging. Desiring a peaceful spot to meditate, he and his coaches found themselves in a rough neighborhood, where the incident occurred. Upon noticing an old couple fleeing and crying out, Jones sprang into action.
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Chasing down the thief, Jones caught up with him just as he stumbled. He recalled, “I started barking, because I didn’t know what to do when I caught him.” With the help of his coach, they subdued the robber and waited for police to arrive, all while preparing for his imminent title fight.
Ultimately, Jones went on to win the fight and continued an undefeated streak in the UFC, holding the record for the most wins in title fights. His only loss occurred in December 2009, due to a disqualification against Matt Hamill, a decision that remains controversial among fans and analysts alike.
