Colby Covington does not envision himself fighting at Madison Square Garden during UFC 295 this coming November.
Having been absent from the octagon for over eighteen months, “Chaos” made his triumphant return in March 2022, conquering his ex-best friend and now fierce opponent Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 through a unanimous decision. Since then, his presence has been limited. The former interim welterweight champion made a public appearance last March, stepping up as a reserve for the bout between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman at UFC 286. Covington’s readiness to accept this role seemingly positioned him as the inevitable next title contender, as confirmed by UFC President Dana White. White has reiterated several times that Covington is in line for a title shot against the reigning champion Edwards, with the timing being the only question.
UFC 295 is set to take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City this November, where Covington had previously fought and defeated Masvidal. In the past few months, both Covington and White have expressed optimism about the potential Edwards vs. Covington matchup at UFC 295. Nevertheless, Covington thinks his prior falling out with old friend and current UFC 295 main event fighter Jon Jones might be an obstacle.
On Michael Bisping’s YouTube channel, Covington revealed that he heard Jones had discussions with UFC executives, stating that he wouldn’t share a card with him. “So, they’re going to cater to his wishes. They wouldn’t want to jeopardize their New York show, and they’re banking on him showing up. But they must have a contingency plan. He can’t be counted on. I’m the consummate company man,” said Covington.
He further questioned whether Jones would agree to share a card with his former college roommate, who is privy to Jones’ hidden secrets. He speculated that Jones might be approaching UFC to express his refusal to fight on the same card with him.
“The only way I see that fight materializing is if Jon’s unpredictability comes into play. He may slip up, and we might need to step in as the main event,” he added, making an allusion to Jones’ controversial behavior.
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion, Jones is scheduled to defend his title for the first time against Stipe Miocic. This marks only the second fight for Jones in the last three years after taking a break and leaving his light heavyweight division for more significant challenges.
Covington and Jones were roommates during their tenure at Iowa Central Community College in 2007. Throughout his professional MMA career, Jones has encountered numerous issues outside of the cage, including legal problems and banned substance violations, leading to multiple setbacks. Covington claims that Jones’ troubles date back to their college wrestling days and criticizes his character, citing various transgressions and failures.
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Various social media snippets, pre-fight presser glimpses, MMA-related tweets, art, and memes are also shared.
Fight announcements include:
- Cody Gibson vs. Brad Katona at UFC 292 on Aug. 19.
- Tim Means vs. Andre Fialho at UFC Vegas 79 on Sept. 23.
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez at UFC Vegas 79 on Sept. 23.
- Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics at UFC Sao Paulo on Nov. 4.
- Cesar Almeida vs. Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 82 on Nov. 18.
Closing thoughts ponder the possibility of Covington being replaced by Belal Muhammad for the Edwards title fight due to UFC’s desire to avoid any interactions with Jones at UFC 295.
Readers are then invited to participate in a poll, asking whether Colby Covington will fight in 2023, and urged to engage on social media if they have suggestions for future Morning Reports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Colby Covington
Why does Colby Covington believe he may not compete at UFC 295?
Covington believes his bridge-burning with old roommate and current UFC 295 headliner Jon Jones may be costing him. He asserts that Jones has refused to share a card with him, leading to a potential impact on his participation in the event.
Who did Colby Covington last defeat, and what has he done since?
Covington defeated his former best friend and rival Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 via a unanimous decision. He has rarely been seen since, but he re-emerged as the backup fighter for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 at UFC 286 and has been positioned as the next title challenger.
What is Jon Jones’ current status in UFC?
Jon Jones is the current UFC heavyweight champion and is set to make his first title defense of his second-career divisional strap against Stipe Miocic. He has only fought twice in the past three years since returning from a hiatus, leaving his light heavyweight division for larger challenges.
What were some of the allegations Covington made against Jones?
Covington alleges that Jones’ problems with legal issues and banned substances date back to their collegiate wrestling days. He accused Jones of using steroids, resulting in mood swings and other behavior issues, and cited various legal troubles including hitting a pregnant lady at a stop sign, failing steroid tests, and domestic violence.
Who are some of the other fighters mentioned for upcoming fights?
Some fight announcements include Cody Gibson vs. Brad Katona at UFC 292, Tim Means vs. Andre Fialho at UFC Vegas 79, and Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez at UFC Vegas 79. The report also hints at the possibility of Covington being replaced with Belal Muhammad for the Edwards title fight.
