Jon Jones rips Colby Covington over 'negative energy' claim

Jon Jones has fired back at Colby Covington after the former interim welterweight champion blamed the heavyweight legend for his protégé Gable Steveson's shocking 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 in September.

Covington had suggested that Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist, needed to distance himself from Jones due to the champion's "negative energy." Jones responded with a scathing rebuke that highlighted the vast gap in their respective career accomplishments and questioned Covington's credibility.

"It's funny that you blame Gable's loss on my 'negative energy,' " Jones wrote on X. "Meanwhile, I'm an undefeated fighter living the absolute American dream." Jones pointed out that Steveson had finished every opponent in the first round before the upset defeat, making Covington's logic nonsensical. He also challenged Covington's standing to comment on negative energy, noting that while Jones travels the world and draws fan attention freely, Covington requires full-time security in his own country.

Jones suggested that Covington's repeated public criticism reveals an obsession with him, citing their shared college dorm room and the vast disparity in career achievements. "We started off in the same dorm room, yet I've earned and achieved literally ten times more than you have," Jones said. Covington has not competed in the UFC since a December 2024 loss to Joaquin Buckley and has since pursued professional wrestling matches. Jones vacated the heavyweight title in 2025 but continues to hint at a return to competition.