In a surprising turn of events, former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has reached a plea agreement in the battery case involving fellow fighter Colby Covington. Masvidal pled no contest to misdemeanor battery and, to the relief of many, will not be serving any time behind bars or face probation.
Key Takeaway
Jorge Masvidal has pled no contest in the battery case involving Colby Covington, resulting in the dropping of felony charges and avoiding any jail time or probation. The altercation occurred after their UFC 272 fight, where Covington emerged as the winner. Masvidal’s retirement from professional fighting and his venture into fight promotion mark a new chapter in his career.
Avoiding Serious Charges
The plea agreement resulted in the dropping of two felony charges that Masvidal initially faced: aggravated assault and criminal mischief. This development comes as a significant relief for the former MMA superstar, who was potentially looking at over a decade of imprisonment. His attorney, Bradford Cohen, confirmed this positive outcome.
The Incident
The incident occurred in March 2022 outside Papi Steak in Miami Beach. Covington was having dinner with the Nelk Boys when he encountered Masvidal upon leaving the restaurant. Tempers flared, and a physical altercation ensued, with Covington alleging that Masvidal punched him twice, resulting in a broken tooth and even an alleged brain injury.
Former Friends Turned Enemies
It is worth noting that this altercation came just weeks after Covington defeated Masvidal by unanimous decision at UFC 272. What was once a close friendship had turned into bitter rivalry. Masvidal retired from professional fighting in April 2023 after his bout against Gilbert Burns and subsequently launched his own fight promotion, Gamebred.
While the legal proceedings have come to a close, the animosity between these two fighters continues to capture the attention of MMA fans. Only time will tell if there will ever be a resolution to their feud or if they will meet again inside the octagon.
