Jon Jones fired back at Colby Covington’s recent criticism following Gable Steveson’s knockout loss, calling out what he described as misplaced hatred. The exchange reignited a long-standing feud between the two fighters, who were once college roommates.
Covington had publicly blamed Jones for Steveson’s defeat, suggesting Jones’ “negative energy” played a part and accusing him of steering Steveson away from his wrestling strengths. Steveson, a highly touted prospect, suffered a shock knockout, prompting many to look for reasons behind the upset. Covington made his stance clear, holding Jones partly responsible.
Jones responded on social media about two weeks later, disputing Covington’s claims. “It’s funny that you blame Gable’s loss on my ‘negative energy,’” Jones wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Meanwhile, I’m an undefeated fighter living the absolute American dream. Before he was caught, our guy had finished every opponent in the first round. Your logic doesn’t make any sense.”
He continued by pointing out the irony of Covington criticizing his attitude. “I also find it funny that you, of all people, are commenting on my supposedly negative energy. I travel the world alone and get mobbed by fans, while you need full-time security in your own country. You come out once a quarter to do an interview about me and what a terrible person I am. Boy, you’re obsessed with me. A blind man could see that.”
Jones referenced their shared past living in the same dorm room but emphasized the gap in their achievements. “We started off in the same dorm room, yet I’ve earned and achieved literally ten times more than you have. I genuinely hope that one day you start to feel better. It sucks to even have to address you. … again.”
Jones then doubled down by posting an image of Covington’s broken jaw, a gruesome injury sustained during his first title fight against Kamaru Usman. “Colby, I think your deep hatred is directed at the wrong Black guy. It was Usman who broke your face, not me,” Jones added.
Covington’s broken jaw remains one of the most memorable moments in recent UFC history. Usman’s dominance in that fight left Covington sidelined for months. Jones’ tweet highlighted the ongoing bitterness in their rivalry that has played out publicly for years.
Despite the intensity of their verbal battles, a physical confrontation between Jones and Covington appears unlikely. The size difference between the two fighters is significant, ruling out any official matchups, including in wrestling or MMA. The feud seems destined to remain confined to social media exchanges.
Jones has remained semi-retired but continues to attract attention whenever he speaks out. Covington, known for his persistent trash talk, has made Jones a frequent target, especially after his own losses in the Octagon. Their back-and-forth reflects the personal and professional tensions that have lingered since their early days.
The latest volley from Jones leaves little doubt he rejects Covington’s accusations and is unwilling to let the criticism slide without a sharp rebuttal. The dynamic between the two continues to fuel headlines well beyond the cage.
According to Yahoo Sports.
