“Ultimate Company Man” Colby Covington Claims Jon Jones Has Kept Him Off UFC 295

The controversial welterweight didn't hold back with his recent comments about the UFC's heavyweight champion.

Drew Beaupré | Aug 18, 2023

“Ultimate Company Man” Colby Covington Claims Jon Jones Has Kept Him Off UFC 295 /

Colby Covington claims that Jon Jones pulled some strings to make sure he wouldn’t have to share a card with “Chaos” at UFC 295.

The former interim champion hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since he defeated Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, but despite his inactivity the UFC still seems committed to giving him the next title shot against welterweight champion Leon Edwards.

There were recent rumors that the welterweight title fight might be slotted in as the co-main event of UFC 295 to bolster an event already headlined by Jones’ heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic, but Covington alleges that “Bones” sabotaged that plan.

Jon Jones at UFC 285. — (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP)

“A little birdie told me that he went behind, backstage with the suits and the big dogs at the UFC and said ‘Hey, [I refuse] to share a card with [him],” Covington told Michael Bisping. “So they’re gonna give him what he wants, they don’t wanna ruin their New York show and they’re still hoping that he shows up.”

“Chaos” previously expressed excitement at the idea of getting to engage with Jones during the lead up to UFC 295, and even if the heavyweight champion wants to avoid those interactions, Covington argues the UFC can’t rely on him to show up on November 11.

Colby Covington fighting Jorge Masvidal. — (Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports)

“They need a backup plan, he’s not reliable. I’m the ultimate company man. 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 always am the ultimate professional, and that’s what I do best. When the UFC knows they can rely on me, that’s why I’m in this position. It sucks that Jon doesn’t wanna share a card. It wouldn’t even be talking s***, it’d just be talking truth. If you can’t handle the truth in today’s society, then go get a safe space.

Jones will be defending his heavyweight title for the first time when he meets Miocic at UFC 295, but as highly-anticipated as that fight is it would be a surprise if the UFC didn’t try to add another title fight to what should be a massive event at Madison Square Garden.

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Published Aug 18, 2023