With over two dozen scalps, 12 UFC title defenses, and a nigh unbeaten record inside the Octagon, Jon Jones‘ legacy is unmatched. Despite the ups, downs, and controversies that have marked his career—including being stripped of his title three times—Jones has continued to break records and prove why he is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. As he gears up for a reported massive showdown against Tom Aspinall in the summer of 2025, his reign as champion remains unshaken.

However, despite his aura of invincibility, Jones once found himself on the brink of defeat. That moment came at UFC 247 against former title challenger Dominick Reyes, a fight that many still debate to this day. Recently, ‘The Devastator’ reflected on that fateful night while speaking on the Gypsy Tales podcast. He recounted how he pressured the New York export against the cage and unleashed a vicious elbow attack—yet ‘Bones’ barely showed any signs of damage. Sharing his thoughts on Jones’ resilience, Reyes said:

“The toughest motherf—er I have ever come across in my whole life. His chin, the uppercut rotated his whole head, and just… he’s okay. Maybe it wasn’t that okay, but he lived. That’s one of Jon’s toughness; it’s probably the best in the world. I hit him as hard as I could a few times. I head-kicked him. Yeah, he just ate it”

But the former 205lbs title challenger isn’t the only one singing Jones’ praise. “That’s why I tell you—he has tough legs and kicks hard. Yes, yes. And when you kick him, his legs are like stone—strong and solid.” These words came from former UFC middleweight and juggernaut Yoel Romero, who once praised the reigning heavyweight champion for his incredible toughness. Despite never sharing the Octagon or even sparring with Jones, ‘Soldier of God’ described his durability as a rare gift, saying, “God gives that to human beings.”

Coming back to their fight, the duo put on a back-and-forth at the Toyota Center. Moreover, it proved to be one of the most controversial fights in Jones’ career. Reyes came out strong, dominating the first two rounds with crisp striking and relentless pressure. However, as the fight wore on, the Albuquerque native took control in the championship rounds. Moreover, he capitalized on the former title challenger’s fading gas tank. The third round became the focal point of post-fight controversy.

Many analysts, media members, and even UFC head honcho Dana White believed that Reyes had done enough to win the round—and possibly the fight. He even appeared to score a knockdown in that crucial round. Yet, the judges announced Jon Jones as the victor. Even ‘Bones’ himself seemed surprised by the decision. Now, let’s take a look at what Jon Jones had to say about his fight against ‘The Devastator’.

Jon Jones acknowledged the harsh reality of his career after his controversial win over Dominick Reyes

Over the course of his 15-year career, Jon Jones has experienced it all. Once burdened with a negative image in the sport, he sought to shed all those labels. Now, at 37, the New York export has solidified his place as one of the greatest fighters of his generation. Reflecting on his battle with Dominick Reyes in December 2024, Jones acknowledged that it was one of his toughest fights, one that made him appear vulnerable. In a YouTube video, he recalled the intense moments of that fight:

“I was fighting Dominick Reyes, and in round one, he caught me with a spinning back kick to the face, then landed a punch to my stomach that sent me to the floor. It was technically a knockdown. But it wasn’t just the physical hit; the look in his eyes and the way he spoke to me before the fight—he was telling me he was a multi-sport athlete. He really gave me a run for my money. He was the only other fighter to push me like that, outside of Gustafsson. I remember thinking to myself, ‘F—k. You may have met your match, Jon.’ That’s what like a voice said to me right in the middle of the cage. It was like, ‘You may have met your match.”

What’s your take on the Dominick Reyes vs. Jon Jones fight? Given how things unfolded, do you think if they faced off again today, ‘The Devastator’ could avenge his loss and settle the score with the two-division champion? Share your thoughts below.