Colby Covington blasts Jon Jones over latest arrest: ‘Hopefully, he goes to jail soon’

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

If it were up to Colby Covington, Jon Jones would’ve received more than a slap on the wrist for his latest run-in with the law.

Jones was arrested last month in Albuquerque, N.M., and initially charged with aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of open container and driving without proof of insurance. The UFC light heavyweight champion pleaded guilty to the DWI, resulting in the other charges being dropped and Jones being sentenced to four days of house arrest in addition to agreeing to one year of supervised probation, among other punishments.

It was the latest legal issue for Jones, joining a list of infractions that includes pleading guilty to disorderly conduct after an incident at a strip club last April and a previous DUI conviction in 2012. Jones has also twice been suspended by the USADA for failed drug tests.

Covington joked on the What the Heck show that Jones getting in trouble might actually provide some normalcy to people looking for more familiar news during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“You would think that we’ve never seen anything like this before,” Covington said. “We’re going through this pandemic, this unprecedented time, the coronavirus, people are stuck in their houses and you would just think that everything is just—It’s the craziest time ever in life. But then Jon Jones gets caught by the Albuquerque police again. For what, the seventh or eighth time? Everything is normal in the world, people, I promise you.

“Jon Jones is still getting caught, he’s still a dirtbag, he’s still cheating on his wife and doing drugs and doing steroids, and we can almost go back to normal soon. So hang in there people, you’re gonna be out of your houses soon, the world is coming back to normal. Jon Jones is still getting caught, and he’s still a piece of s*it, and hopefully he goes to jail soon.”

Former college roommates, Covington and Jones have had a frigid relationship for years, and it’s only worsened as the two have ascended the UFC ranks. Jones, despite his issues outside of the cage, has been a world champion and a marquee star since 2011, while Covington has become one of the most talked-about welterweight contenders over the past few years.

That attitude hasn’t always endeared Covington to fans, nor has he always been on the same page as UFC President Dana White. Following his Fight of the Night-winning headlining title clash with Kamaru Usman at UFC 245, which Covington lost by TKO in the final minute of the bout, “Chaos” said his relationship with White is improving, especially in comparison to some of his peers.

“It’s getting better,” Covington said. “He understands what I’m doing. He understands the business that I bring to this company and I put myself out there. Not a lot of these fighters want to put themselves out there because they’re scared of the fall. I know I’m not gonna fall. I know I’m the best and I’m willing to put it all on the line, and I’m willing to make it exciting and entertaining because that’s what it’s all about.

“This is entertainment show business. I want to make it exciting for the fans. I want to give them some hope, some inspiration, and that’s why I do what I do.”