Jon Jones is no stranger to controversy, but his appearance alongside his fiancée Jessie Moses at UFC 285 in Las Vegas was one of his most shocking moments yet.
Moses had not been seen publicly since February 2022, when Jones announced that she had left him after an alleged domestic violence incident at a Las Vegas resort. Despite the past, there she was in a bright pink business suit, kissing Jones before he stepped into the octagon at T-Mobile Arena.
In September 2021, Jones was arrested and booked into jail by Las Vegas police on charges of misdemeanor battery domestic violence and felony injuring and tampering with a vehicle. According to a police report, Jones left Moses bloodied after he allegedly assaulted her inside a room at Caesars Palace with their three children present. The domestic violence charge was later dropped as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
After Jones’ first-round submission of Ciryl Gane in Saturday’s main event, Moses entered the octagon, and Jones gave her special thanks during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
“I want to thank my beautiful fiancée Jessie for being my biggest support. I love you so much – my biggest supporter,” said Jones.
Jones was asked about the incident at media day during UFC 285 fight week, but he declined to address it. However, on the ESPN+ post-fight show, Jones opened up some when host Michael Eaves brought up “run-ins with police, including here in Las Vegas,” in reference to the alleged domestic violence against Moses, during a question about returning from a three-year layoff filled with hurdles.
“We all have our past, and thank God that he’s making me the man that I am today. Me and my family are better than we ever have been. I just thank God so much for him using me to let other people see that none of us are perfect, and that despite your downfalls, the sky is the limit for those who don’t give up, for those who know how to get down on their knees and pray,” said Jones.
The appearance of Moses at UFC 285 was a surprising one, but it is clear that Jones and his family are in a much better place than they were in the past. It is also a testament to the power of redemption and forgiveness. Jones is an example of how one can rise above mistakes and come out a better person.
