Jon Jones owes Leon Edwards a debt of gratitude.
When Edwards successfully defended his welterweight title at UFC 296 on Saturday against a listless Colby Covington, he didn’t just score a win for himself, he also got one over on one of Jones’ most hated rivals.
Jones and Covington, once collegiate wrestling teammates at Iowa Central Community College in the distant past, have frequently lobbed insults at each other over the past few years in interviews and on social media. With Covington having lost yet another title fight, Jones took the opportunity to compliment Edwards on the win.
Leon Edwards , I couldn’t be more happy for you. As an American champion in this game, I salute you, that was truly a job well done. Let me know if I can gift you a motorcycle or something for Christmas. Feel like I owe you one
— BONY (@JonnyBones) December 18, 2023
“Leon Edwards, I couldn’t be more happy for you,” Jones wrote via Twitter. “As an American champion in this game, I salute you, that was truly a job well done. Let me know if I can gitr you a motorcycle or something for Christmas. Feel like I owe you one.”
When a fan suggested that Jones gift Edwards a Harley-Davidson VRSC motorcycle, Jones responded, “whatever he wants, it would be my pleasure.”
Jones’ commentary shouldn’t be unexpected. Prior to Saturday, Jones tweeted and deleted a post critical of Covington taking a shot at Edwards’ deceased father at the UFC 296 pre-fight press conference.
The UFC heavyweight champion is currently on the sidelines after suffering a pectoral injury that forced him out of a highly anticipated matchup with Stipe Miocic at UFC 295—a card that Covington claims Jones would not allow him to compete on.