Colby Covington claims Jon Jones is refusing to fight at same UFC event as him

18 August 2023 , 12:10

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Colby Covington claims Jon Jones is refusing to fight at same UFC event as him

The absence of a Colby Covington fight announcement could be because of his relationship with UFC champion Jon Jones.

Covington is expected to serve as the next challenger for Leon Edwards' welterweight title as the rivals have been linked to a fight at UFC 295 on November 11. The pay-per-view event, which takes place at Madison Square Garden and marks the 30th anniversary of the UFC, is headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Jones and Stipe Miocic.

Jones and Covington were once roommates as they wrestled at college in Iowa and have since gone on to both achieve great heights in the UFC. Their relationship has since deteriorated as Covington never passes up the chance to criticise Jones for his troubles in and outside the cage.

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"Is Jon Jones going to be willing to share a card with his former college roommate who knows all his dirty secrets, all the dirty skeletons in his closet? I bet that he’s going over to the UFC right now and he’s telling them, ‘Yo, I’m not sharing a card with Colby. I will refuse to fight here," Covington said in an interview with Michael Bisping on his YouTube channel.

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“A little birdie told me that he went backstage with the big dogs of the UFC and said 'He refuses to share a card with me'. So they’re gonna give him what he wants. They don’t want to ruin their New York show and they’re still hoping he shows up but they need a backup plan. He’s not reliable, I’m the ultimate company man."

Jon Jones and Colby Covington were once college roomates (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Covington has claimed that Jones is refusing to fight on the same card as him (Zuffa LLC)

Jones has a lengthy legal history with multiple arrests and charges, but he's been in the headlines this year for the right reasons as 'Bones' captured the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in his UFC 285 comeback fight. Covington is frustrated by Jones' alleged refusal to share a card with him but is hopeful his planned title fight against Edwards will serve as the headliner at a different event.

“When I say and I give my word to the UFC that I’m showing up, I’m showing up. I’ve never, ever pulled out of one fight. I’m always the ultimate professional and that’s what I do best. The UFC knows they can rely on me. That’s why I’m in this position. It sucks that Jon doesn’t want to share a card and it wouldn’t even be talking s***, it would just be talking truth. If you can’t handle the truth in today’s society then go get a safe space," Covington added.

Harry Davies