The combat sports community has been struck with profound sadness following the unexpected death of Arthur Jones, the elder brother of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The former NFL defensive lineman passed away Friday morning at just 39 years old.
Arthur Jones achieved his greatest professional triumph as a member of the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII championship team in 2013. During that memorable victory over the San Francisco 49ers, he made crucial contributions with both a sack and a fumble recovery, helping secure the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy in a game forever remembered for its dramatic power outage at the New Orleans Superdome.
“We are terribly saddened to learn of Arthur Jones’ sudden passing,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in an official statement. “Arthur’s presence was a gift to everyone he encountered. His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continuously uplifted others. He was kind, courteous and enthusiastic — always displaying a love for family, teammates and friends.”
The news reverberated throughout the mixed martial arts world, where Arthur had been a familiar and beloved figure at his younger brother’s championship bouts. The UFC organization quickly issued their own tribute, expressing its condolences to the Jones family during this difficult time.
“UFC is saddened to hear about the passing of Arthur Jones,” the promotion shared on social media. “Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.”
MMA superstar Conor McGregor was among the first high-profile athletes to pay tribute to Arthur, sharing his personal memories of the late football player. “Very sad to hear this news,” McGregor wrote on social media. “Arthur was a great man, a friendly giant! God speed Arthur Jones.”
The outpouring of support continued from across the combat sports community, with numerous fighters and personalities expressing their grief and offering condolences to the Jones family.
“Truly sad to see someone’s life gone so soon. Our sincere condolences to you Jon Jones and the entire Jones family,” former UFC competitor Josh Thomson commented, while UFC veteran Clay Guida simply wrote, “God Bless Big Bro.”
Former UFC middleweight Derek Brunson also shared his remembrance, calling Arthur “A good dude,” reflecting the widespread respect the eldest Jones brother had earned throughout the sports community.
Arthur’s athletic journey began long before his NFL success, with wrestling serving as the foundation for his competitive career. His younger brother Jon has frequently spoken about Arthur’s natural leadership abilities and superior wrestling skills, praising his older sibling’s influence on his own development.
During the 2011 NFL lockout, there was genuine consideration given to Arthur potentially transitioning into mixed martial arts, following in his brother’s footsteps. At the time, Jon Jones expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of having his brother join him in the UFC.
“Arthur’s considering it and he’s training,” Jon told ESPN in 2011. “I just talked to him today and he said ‘man, my jiu-jitsu’s getting so much better.’ I guess he’s using his wrestling base, and his size alone is crazy to deal with. He’s just a smart dude. I think he’s going to do well if he ever gets cut or leaves the NFL.”
Jon’s admiration for his older brother was evident in his continued praise of Arthur’s athletic abilities. “I really want my brother to be in the UFC with me; that would be so sweet,” he had said. “He’s always been a better wrestler than me. He’s always better than me. I’ve never been a team captain. He’s been a team captain at everything, the football team, the wrestling team. Since day one, he’s been a leader. He’s just gifted. He just has timing, and body coordination, and light feet. Everything.”
Arthur’s professional football career spanned eight seasons, beginning when the Ravens selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. During his four-year tenure in Baltimore, he started 20 games and recorded 8½ sacks, establishing himself as a reliable presence on the defensive line.
Following his championship run with the Ravens, he spent three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before concluding his career with a single season in Washington in 2017.
Throughout his NFL journey, Arthur remained a constant presence at his brother’s most significant UFC moments, witnessing Jon’s rise to become one of mixed martial arts’ most dominant champions. His unwavering support and the close bond between the Jones brothers became a well-documented aspect of Jon’s career narrative.
The Jones family athletic dynasty extends beyond just Arthur and Jon, with brother Chandler Jones also achieving NFL success as a defensive end, most notably with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals.
