This past week, as MMA fans geared up for UFC 320, devastating news suddenly shook the combat sports world. NFL veteran Arthur Jones, the older brother of UFC legend Jon Jones, passed away on Friday at just 39 years old. Both the authorities and his family have so far kept the cause of death of the former Baltimore Ravens’ defensive tackle. Known for his relentless drive and commanding spirit, Arthur Jones didn’t just play football; he helped build the foundation that carried the Jones family’s athletic legacy.
Soon after, tributes began pouring in from across the sports world. UFC superstar Conor McGregor shared his condolences, remembering Arthur Jones as a *“great man.”* Not long after McGregor’s post, Dana White, Tony Ferguson, and several other big names followed suit, sending prayers to the Jones family. More recently, former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo, who has on multiple occasions coached Jon Jones, especially for his 2023 bout against Ciryl Gane, also reflected on Arthur’s impact on Jon Jones’ life and career.
Henry Cejudo remembers the unforgettable’ Arthur Jones
During the recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Henry Cejudo reflected on Arthur Jones and his influence on the former UFC heavyweight champion’s warrior mentality. He described Arthur as *“genuine”* and recounted a memory that captures his presence.
*“I’ll never forget, man, because he gave me the biggest hug, man,”* Henry Cejudo recalled, *“after Jon Jones won. He said, ‘Man, Henry, thank you.’ He was the most genuine dude man. A great guy. And even some of the stories Jon used to tell me about his brother—he said, ‘Man, my older brother used to beat the hell out of me.’ Like, he was a top-level wrestlers. If I remember correctly, he was one of the best athletes in the country at wrestling before switching to football. But Jon had nothing. But like, ‘My brother used to beat the sh*t out of me.’”*
“Jon Jones is the GOAT because he got bullied by his older brother, Arthur Jones,” — Henry Cejudo remembers Jon Jones’ late brother.
“Jon Jones used to tell me stories about his brother. He’s like, ‘Dude, my older brother used to beat the sh*t out of me.’ He was a really… pic.twitter.com/c3zCrsRUzp
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 6, 2025
The Olympic gold medalist added, *“Why is John Jones the greatest of all time is probably because he got bullied by his older brother, Arthur Jones, man. It’s sad news for martial arts. It’s unfortunate, man.”*
Henry Cejudo also recalled meeting Jon Jones’ family multiple times. As a child, Jon was the underdog, while his brothers Arthur and Chandler already displayed glimpses of athletic greatness. It was Arthur who consistently pushed Jon to the edge through wrestling, challenging him to grow stronger, tougher, and more resilient.
That relentless sibling rivalry ultimately forged Jon Jones’s path—from football to NCAA wrestling, and then to the UFC, where he carved out a legendary career. Meanwhile, in a revealing interview with Michael David Smith of NBC Sports nine years ago, Arthur even joked, *“I can beat up my little brother too.”*
Throwback: Jon Jones’ brother nearly pursued MMA professionally
Arthur Jones shaped Jon Jones’ rise to UFC superstardom, yet many fans overlook that both Jones brothers—Arthur and Chandler—harbored a deep passion for mixed martial arts. Interestingly, even the younger sibling, Chandler, who towers over Jon, once playfully teased a *“charity”* matchup against his brother. Meanwhile, Arthur seriously considered an MMA career during the 2011 NFL lockout. In March of that year, when negotiations between the NFL and the players’ union collapsed, leaving him sidelined from training with his Baltimore Ravens teammates, Arthur explored the octagon as an alternate path.
*“I love MMA,”* Arthur had told the Indianapolis Star in 2014. *“It’s fun to watch, and it’s something I entertained early in my football career, if football didn’t work out, of me fighting in the UFC. But things are going well for me right now, so I’m going to stick with my career. I was a really good wrestler, so that was my base, but I do a lot of boxing in my off-season training.”*
Before his NFL career, Arthur had already honed his combat skills. He won two New York State wrestling heavyweight championships, and on top of that, he trained alongside Jon at Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA in Albuquerque during the off-season. Still, there will always be that itch for fans who never got to see Arthur Jones step inside the cage. Yet, thanks to his tough guidance, he ultimately shaped his brother into the MMA legend we know today. *RIP Arthur Jones!*
