Jon Jones says alcohol caused every career setback

Jon Jones has identified the common thread in every career derailment he has faced: alcohol.

In an interview with The Ring Magazine, as reported by MMA Mania, the former UFC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight and current heavyweight champion said he would never have started drinking if he could change one thing about his career. "I feel all my setbacks in life have been directly related to alcohol," Jones said. "And I've been able to achieve some amazing things and reach some pretty amazing heights. But I feel like things could have been even much, much higher if I'd have never gotten into partying."

Jones' record-breaking resume vs. legal troubles

Jones became the youngest UFC champion at 23 and holds the record for most title-fight wins at 16, with 11 heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight defenses across two reigns. He has also been stripped or relinquished five UFC titles, served three drug suspensions, and faced two proven DUI arrests. In 2021, he was arrested for domestic battery on his fiancée the night of his Hall of Fame induction. Recordings from a 2025 phone call reportedly captured an intoxicated Jones threatening a police officer.

Following the Hall of Fame arrest, Jones announced he would quit drinking permanently, saying he had "way too much trauma to consume alcohol." Recent photos and videos suggest that pledge has not held. Jones has posted messages on social media — later deleted — claiming he now has control over his drinking.

He closed the Ring interview with advice for young fighters: "Keep things in check. I guess that's what I'll say."

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Jon Jones admits all his setbacks in life ‘have been directly related to alcohol’