Very few fighters in the UFC have had an impact on the sport of MMA the way Jon Jones has. The 38-year-old is widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, with Dana White touting him as the ‘best P4P fighter’ regardless of the rankings. The virtually undefeated Jones is yet to lose at the hands of another man inside the Octagon and has had a storied career that could rival any big-budget Hollywood feature film.

Interestingly, Jones is not the only athlete in his family. His brothers Arthur Willis Jones III and Chandler Jones competed as professional football athletes, with the latter still actively competing. Originally one of four children, Jon Jones lost his older sibling Carmen Jones to a brain tumor before her 18th birthday. A key figure in the Jones family who was instrumental in making Jon Jones the man he is today, is his father, Arthur Jones Jr. However, the senior Jones wasn’t always thrilled with his son being a fighter. In this piece, we’ll take a closer look at the man who raised Jon Jones.

Who is Arthur Jones, Jon Jones’ father? All about their relationship

Jon Jones’s father is Arthur Jones Jr. – a retired pastor who raised Jon and his brothers in a strict and religious household. He has often been vocal about his pride in Jon’s achievements in mixed martial arts, while also addressing the challenges ‘Bones’ has faced throughout his career. With MMA being one of the toughest sports in the world, his father only wanted to protect him from sustaining serious, debilitating injuries.

When ‘Bones’ became the youngest champion at 24 years old, his father said the following in an interview with The Christian Post, “I tried to discourage him from being a fighter. I told him you don’t want to do that. You can do other things. Be a pastor.” Fortunately for the fans, ‘Bones’ did not listen to his father and went on to embark on one of the greatest journeys in MMA history. Arthur Jones Jr. is perhaps also one of the reasons why Jon Jones is deeply religious and proudly identifies as a devout Christian.

It wasn’t just his father who helped Jones reach the pinnacle of success but also his mother Camille Jones. Unfortunately for him, he lost his mother in 2017.  Taking to Instagram Jones said the following after his mother’s passing – “If you still have your mother, give her the tightest hug for me. I beg you guys to appreciate her and let her know every day how much you love her. I miss you mom, really looking forward to seeing you again.”

What happened to Camille Jones, Jon Jones’ mother?

Jon Jones’s mother, Camille Jones, passed away in 2017 after a long battle with diabetes, as a result of numerous complications related to the illness. Camille was a supportive and devoted mother to Jon and his brothers, including Arthur Jones III, an NFL player, and Chandler Jones, a star in the NFL as well.

Unlike many fighters who overcame less-than-ideal situations relating to their home life, Jon Jones grew up in a respectable household with the love of both his parents. Despite losing his sister early on, Jones had the support of his brothers, the love of his mother, and the leadership of his father, to ensure that the Rochester, New York native had the best possible career in whichever field he chose. There was a time when Jones was studying criminal law at Morrisville State College, though it’s tough to imagine ‘the baddest man on the planet’ as a criminal law attorney.

Jon Jones is all set to return to action at UFC 309 when he takes on Stipe Miocic. The heavyweight champion announced that the fight would be his final appearance in the Octagon. However, fans believe that the 38-year-old will fight beyond the November 16th MSG card. Who do you think will win the fight between the two? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.