Before entering MMA, Jones was a stand-out high school wrestler and state champion. He also won a national JUCO championship at Iowa Central Community College.

Jones made his professional MMA debut in April 2008. He quickly amassed an undefeated record of 6-0 over a period of three months, finishing all of his opponents. This brought him to the attention of the UFC, who asked him to take a fight as a late replacement on two week's notice in July 2008.

In his last bout before entering the UFC Jones defeated Moyses Gabin at BCX 5 for the USKBA Light Heavyweight Championship. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Jon's brother, Arthur was selected with the 26th pick (157th overall) in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He is listed as a defensive tackle. Jones's other brother, Chandler, is currently a defensive lineman at Syracuse. His only sister died of brain cancer at 18.

On March 19, 2011, Jones was en route to Great Falls Historic Park in Paterson, New Jersey, where he planned to meditate several hours ahead of his fight against Maurício "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128. He was accompanied by his two coaches Mike Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson, as their driver prepared to drop them off Jones observed an elderly couple screaming for help, the elderly woman informed Winkeljohn that a man had smashed her car window and run off with her GPS. Jones, along with his two coaches, chased after the robber, caught and tripped him, and held him down until the police arrived. Jon has two daughters named Leah and Carmen

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, Current)
  • Knockout of the Night (One time)
  • Submission of the Night (One time)
  • Youngest Combatant to win a UFC Championship (23 Years, 242 Days)
• World MMA Awards
  • 2010 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
• Sherdog
  • 2009 Breakthrough Fighter of the Yea
• FIGHT! Magazine
  • 2009 Newcomer of the Year
• United States Kickboxing Association
  • USKBA Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• Spike Guys' Choice Awards
  • 2011 Most Dangerous M^an

Amateur wrestling

• National Junior College Athletic Association
  • NJCAA Junior Collegiate Championship out of Iowa Central Community College (2006)
  • NJCAA All-American out of Iowa Central Community College (2006)
• National High School Coaches Association
  • NHSCA Senior All-American (2005)
• New York State Public High School Athletic Association
  • NYSPHSAA Division I State Championship out of Union-Endicott High School (2005)
• USA Wrestling
  • Northeast Junior Greco-Roman Regional Championship (2004)