Covington and Jones trade insults over Steveson's coaching future

Key points

• Covington told Steveson to separate from Jones, calling him a 'terrible human being' and a bad influence.
• Jones responded by mocking Covington's obsession and pointing out that he is undefeated and living the 'American dream'.
• Covington later retorted, calling Jones a 'narcissistic abusive sociopath' and suggesting Steveson train with Daniel Cormier.
• The dispute stems from Steveson's shocking 12-second knockout loss to Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.
• Jones shared an image of Covington's broken jaw from a previous loss to Kamaru Usman to deflect the criticism.

Background

Gable Steveson suffered his first professional defeat at UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, losing via knockout in just 12 seconds to Sean Sharaf. The loss sparked immediate backlash over Steveson's early exit from the cage and his pre-fight disrespect. While Jones initially took responsibility for escorting Steveson out, Covington had previously urged the wrestler to return to his roots and switch camps. This latest exchange escalates a long-standing rivalry between the two former college roommates.

How outlets are covering it

MMA Fighting and LowKickMMA.com highlight Covington's aggressive language, including accusations of drug use and domestic abuse against Jones. Bloody Elbow and MMA Junkie focus on Jones' defensive response, emphasizing his undefeated status and the perceived absurdity of blaming him for a loss. Bloody Elbow also notes Joe Rogan's differing view, suggesting Jones' presence might have given Steveson false confidence rather than negative energy. Covington's final response, reported by MMA Fighting, shifts the focus to Jones' personal conduct and suggests Daniel Cormier as an alternative mentor.

Why it matters

The conflict highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding Steveson's development and the public fallout from a historic upset. It also underscores the volatile relationship between Covington and Jones, which continues to dominate MMA discourse despite neither being active in the heavyweight division. The debate over coaching effectiveness and 'energy' in the corner may influence how future fighters select mentors.

What to watch

It remains unclear if Steveson will change camps or continue training with Jones and Greg Jackson. Covington's suggestion to train with Daniel Cormier is likely symbolic, but the public pressure may force a decision. Jones has expressed confidence in Steveson's future, while Covington doubts his ability to recover without a change in environment.