Colby Covington is once again offering up some of his signature trash-talk as his inevitable clash with reigning welterweight world champion Leon Edwards closes in.
Sadly, we still don’t have an official date for Covington’s third attempt to capture a UFC title, but all signs currently point toward ‘Chaos’ making his long-awaited return to the Octagon this November when the promotion heads to the world-famous Madison Square Garden for UFC 295. Joining Michael Bisping on the former middleweight champ’s YouTube channel, a fired-up Covington took aim at Edwards, suggesting the UK superstar is ducking their proposed title tilt.
“The situation is, [Leon Edwards] is still hiding from me. Apparently, he knows that I’m a lot tougher challenge than even I think of him,” Covington said. “I think if it was so easy, he would have came out and tried to defend already, but what I have to ask you Michael is, back in your career could you imagine being offered a home date in front of your home fans and turning it down and saying they don’t deserve that?
“Michael, the UFC tried to give millet mignon to the UK fans because the UK fans are so passionate and such great fans, and Leon said, ‘No. You’re sh*t. You a sh*t sandwich. You get a Fight Night event. You don’t get a pay-per-view world title fight.’ It’s sorry and I wonder what the people of the UK are saying about Leon Edwards in the streets right now because I guarantee it’s not good.
“The guy’s a coward. He’s out there ducking. He’d hiding. He’s looking for any excuse not to fight and his time’s about up. He’s going to be forced to come out here and fight, or worse things will happen. He’ll get stripped.”
A Message From Americas Champ to The People of The United Kingdom #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/1PAEF06cY6
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) May 10, 2023
Colby Covington Makes Outrageous Accusations Against UFC Heavyweight Champ Jon Jones
Should Colby Covington lock down a date with Leon Edwards at MSG, the pair will share the spotlight with the event’s previously announced heavyweight championship main event. Reigning titleholder Jon Jones is expected to defend his title against the general consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic at the 30th-anniversary spectacular, but Covington is not convinced that Jones will be willing to share the stage with him, given their history as college roommates and the animosity they currently share.
“Let’s be honest. Let’s talk about the facts, Michael. Is Jon Jones going to be willing to share a card with his former college roommate who knows all his dirty secrets? All the skeletons that are in his closet,” Covington said. “I bet that he’s going over to the UFC right now and telling them, ‘Yo, I’m not sharing a card with Colby. I will refuse to fight here.'”
Covington was far from done talking about Jon Jones, making some absolutely outlandish claims regarding the heavyweight champ that got quite the laugh out of Michael Bisping.
“The only way I see that fighting happening… We know Jon’s unpredictable,” Covington continued. “We know he might go sniff some white girls, kinda like Joe Biden. He’s not to be relied on. He might get pulled off the card and we might have to come save the day and be the main event.
“The real question that we need to be asking is honestly, was Jon Jones on the client list of Epstein Island? Honestly, there’s no way to confirm he was on it, but there’s no way to confirm he wasn’t on it. I just want to know the truth. Was Jon Jones on Epstein Island?”
All jokes aside, Colby Covington believes sharing the spotlight at MSG with Jon Jones would be a fantastic sight for fans to see, but he’s far from convinced that it will happen given all the ammunition that Covington claims to have against Jones stemming from their dorm days.
“I think it would be electric and I think the fans deserve to see that. That’s who we fight for. It’s not about the judges. It’s not about the ref. It’s about the fans. It’s about putting on the biggest and most electric fight for the fans. The people want to see us on the press conference stage. Everbody knows I’ve got questions to ask Jon. Michael, you probably didn’t know that, but I know this from being roommates with him, you should ask him about the time he hit someone with a baseball bat.
“It’s facts. I know all the skeletons in his closet and for these reasons, Jon Jones does not want to be painted in a bad light so he’s not going to share a card with me. I think the only way we get Madison Square Garden is if we’re headlining it because Jon Jones has to pull out again.”
‘Chaos’ Claims Jon Jones Has Already Contacted the UFC
Covington doubled down on his claim, suggesting that Jon Jones has already put in a word with the promotion, letting them know that he refuses to fight on the same card as the welterweight gatekeeper.
“A little birdie told me that he went backstage with the suits and the big dogs at the UFC and said he refuses to share a card with me. They’re going to give him what he wants. They don’t want to ruin their New York show and they’re hoping that he still shows up, but they need a backup plan. He’s not reliable.
“I’m the ultimate company man. When I give my word to the UFC that I’m showing up, I’m showing up. I’ve never ever pulled out of a fight. I’ve always been the ultimate professional and that’s what I do best. The UFC knows they can rely on me and that’s why I’m in this position. It’s tough that Jon doesn’t want to share a card with me. I wouldn’t even be talking sh*t. I’d be talking truth. If you can’t handle the truth in today’s society, then go get a safe space.”
No official announcements have been made, but even Leon Edwards suggested that a clash with ‘Chaos’ at MSG was the likeliest scenario. But if there is any truth to Jones’ refusal to share a spotlight with Covington, we could potentially see the 170-pound title clash shift to UFC 296 when the promotion closes out its 2023 pay-per-view schedule.
