UFC play-by-play lead, Jon Anik claims that he believes the claims from former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington, that incumbent heavyweight champion and arch-rival, Jon Jones, vetoed his planned inclusion at UFC 295 in November, in a welterweight title fight with Leon Edwards.
Covington, the current number two ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since March of last year, defeating arch-rival, the now-retired, Jorge Masvidal in a heated grudge match over the course of five rounds.
And despite his continued absence from the Octagon and period of inactivity, Covington has been pegged to challenge current welterweight titleholder, Edwards for undisputed gold in his return – which was initially planned for Madison Square Garden in November at UFC 295.