Jorge Masvidal maintains his innocence on felony charges after an alleged altercation with his former training partner and rival Colby Covington.
The charges limited Masvidal’s ability to speak freely on the case now pending in Miami-Dade County (Fla.), but on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, he addressed his legal situation and ripped Covington.
” Allegedly that, allegedly this,” Masvidal stated. “But I’m innocent, not guilty. I’m facing three felonies if you want to know the exact truth. It’s still in process. The guy is a coward ***,, so what can I expect from him ?”
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Masvidal exposed Covington on social media, and later in court, after initially invoking the victim’s privacy right. He alleged that he suffered a fractured tooth, and his Rolex watch was damaged in the assault. Masvidal, wearing a surgical face mask and a hoodie attacked him at the Miami Beach restaurant Papi Sal’s, and struck him in both the forehead and the eyes. Masvidal was eventually detained and held for a short time before being released on bond.
Covington has not spoken publicly about the alleged assault, which took place on March 21, just over two weeks after he beat Masvidal via unanimous decision in a grudge match that headlined UFC 272.
There was speculation that Covington would face Masvidal again. They exchanged bitter words during the fight. But Masvidal said his return will be determined by the outcome of the case. According to court records, a trial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22.
“I’m in the justice system, right, so it’s not like I get to make these calls,” Masvidal said of a timeline for his next fight. Masvidal said that he was positive and believed in a successful outcome. However, he still faces three felonies .”
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Masvidal is facing charges of aggravated battery with great bodily harm and criminal mischief, felony charges that respectively carry a potential sentence of up to 15 years and five years in prison; a third felony charge is an enhancement for the use of a mask during an alleged crime and is factored into the battery charge. Masvidal has pleaded not guilty and said at a recent NAC hearing that he engaged in mutual combat with Covington, a common defense to battery charges.
Masvidal has requested records from Covington’s medical team. Covington allegedly sustained a brain injury during the assault.
