Colby Covington isn’t blaming Gable Steveson’s technique for his stunning 12-second knockout loss at UFC 331; he’s pointing the finger squarely at Jon Jones.
“It makes sense that his IQ isn’t that good. He’s hanging out with one of the most low-IQ people on the planet, Jon Jones,” Covington said via MMA Full Mount. “He’s a terrible person. He doesn’t care about Gable. All he cares about is the money he’s gonna make him.”
Colby Covington Calls Jon Jones “Bad Energy” for Gable Steveson
The comments build on remarks Covington made previously to Submission Radio, where he described Jones as “bad energy” and “a demon,” directly referencing Jones’ history of legal troubles as evidence Steveson should cut ties with him entirely. Covington and Jones were once roommates and training partners at Iowa Central Community College before a falling out that’s fueled years of public criticism from Covington toward his former friend. Covington has consistently framed Steveson’s alignment with Jones as a development issue, arguing the Olympic gold medalist has strayed from the wrestling fundamentals that made him elite in the first place.
Jon Jones Takes Responsibility for Gable Steveson’s Cage Exit
The criticism comes in the aftermath of a shocking result: Sean Sharaf, entering as a heavy underdog, knocked Steveson out cold with a left hook just 12 seconds into their heavyweight bout. Steveson left the Octagon before the official result was announced, a moment that drew backlash from several UFC commentators.
Jon Jones has since addressed that decision directly, saying it was his call to get Steveson backstage immediately to make sure he was okay, framing it as an instinctive reaction to seeing his teammate hurt rather than any kind of protest. The reaction to Covington’s broader take has been mixed among fans, with some agreeing that Jones’ presence in Steveson’s corner has “put a bullseye on Gable’s back,” while others see it as Covington using the loss as another opportunity to go after a longtime rival.
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