Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev trade jabs on social media over win streak

Jon Jones took to social media to respond to recent comments from Islam Makhachev, who questioned the legitimacy of his win streak.

With a professional record of 29-1, Islam Makhachev currently holds the UFC’s official longest win streak

. In August, he defended his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry, notching his 17th straight win. This victory allowed Makhachev to surpass the previous record held by middleweight legend Anderson Silva, who had 16 consecutive UFC wins.

The debate arises from former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jones’ (28-1) claim that he achieved 20 wins over a 14-year period (2010–2024), although his winning streak was broken by a no-contest ruling after his 2017 fight with Daniel Cormier.

Makhachev acknowledged

Jones’ legacy as one of the sport’s greatest athletes, but argued that the no-contest, stemming from a failed drug test administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), ended his win streak.

"I'm not denying that Jon Jones is one of the greatest athletes in history, but he was caught doping twice," Makhachev told Ushatayka. "That’s why his win streak isn’t considered valid. If you compete and win while using performance-enhancing drugs, that’s where the count should reset. The streak should only include clean victories."

Jones initially defeated Cormier in their 2017 matchup, but the result was later changed to a no-contest after he tested positive for metabolites of an anabolic steroid. As a consequence, Jones was suspended for 15 months and required to pay a $205,000 fine in order to regain his fighting license.

Jones quickly responded to Makhachev’s remarks, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to defend his record and reputation.

"If you believe USADA for finding a picogram in my system, then you must believe USADA when they say it 'It was not found to be PERFORMANCE ENHANCING or INTENTIONAL,'" Jones wrote on X. "You can't have it both ways. Last I checked, my hand got raised every time I was in the Octagon since any of you can remember. Your own coach said I was 'a gift from God.' Let's not forget you've been KO'd, flatlined, went night night."

Let’s start this week by dispeling rumors that have been spread by people chasing me: 1. If you believe USADA for finding a pico gram in my system, then you must believe USADA when they say “It was not found to be PERFORMANCE ENHANCING or INTENTIONAL”. You can’t have it both ways. 2. Last I checked, my hand got raised every time I was in the octagon since any of you can remember. 3. Your own coach said I was “a gift from God” 4. Let’s not forget you’ve been ko’d, flat lined, went night night. 5. DC I kicked you in the head LOL keep telling yourself it was steroids. Whatever you need to tell yourselves to sleep better at night, go for it. Keep chasing, it’s lonely at the top, Islam hopefully I’ll see you up here one day.

— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) September 14, 2026

Makhachev fired back on X with a pointed response to Jones’ latest comments.

"Jon, I'm not trying to diminish your achievements in any way," Makhachev wrote. "But it seems like controversy has followed you throughout your entire career. One way or another, you always manage to avoid taking responsibility for your actions."

Jon, I’m not trying to diminish your achievements in any way. But your whole life seems to be tied to breaking the rules one way or another, and somehow, you’re never the one to be blamed.

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) September 15, 2026

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev trade jabs on social media over win streak