Jorge Masvidal was officially given a stay away order from his rival Colby Covington on Thursday.
Masvidal, who was able to view the proceedings via zoom, and his legal team made a verbal plea of guilty for Judge Zachary L. James in Miami. The oral plea stemmed from Masvidal’s attack on Covington, Miami Beach, Fla. this month.
The 37-year-old faces two separate felony charges related to the alleged attack against Covington. A more severe charge, the aggravated assault with a mask is facing a possible sentence of 15 year imprisonment and/or a $10,000 monetary fine. Police responded to a call and later stated in a report that the victim, who MMA Fighting identified as Covington, told authorities that he was leaving Papi Steak Restaurant when the alleged assailant ran up and punched him twice. Covington sustained a broken tooth and a wrist injury in the attack.
Masvidal is also facing a felony criminal mischief charge after Covington told police that $15,000 worth of damage was done to a $90,000 Rolex that he was wearing during the altercation. In Florida, criminal mischief with damages over $1,000 is considered a third-degree felony. Gamebred was taken into custody a few days later. He was released on $15,000 bail and entered a written plea to not guilty.
The victim’s attorney, also known as C.C., requested a stay order after the assault. This was due to the fact that Masvidal hadn’t appeared before a judge at his first hearing. Masvidal’s defense group was happy with the order but wanted to ensure it wasn’t egregious. Masvidal and Covington could both be permitted to remain at the same time if they were attending an UFC or Covington event. Judge James granted the order with terms that he explained to Masvidal.
The order states that Masvidal must stay 25 feet away from Covington in all public places, or any vehicle the former interim champion may be traveling in, and 500 feet from Covington’s home. In addition, Masvidal may not contact Covington via phone, texting, social media, emails, or any other form of communication, or indirectly through a third party.
If the order is not respected, conditions for the release may be reexamined.
Masvidal seemed to remove Covington from anonymity, even though the victim was not to be made public due to Marsy’s Law. When Judge James asked Masvidal if he had any additional questions, the 51-fight veteran made sure to make it count.
” To be precise, C.C. Masvidal asked, “Is Colby Covington?”
“Correct,” replied Judge James.
“Got it,” Masvidal added.
Covington — who defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 272 — was on the zoom call throughout the near 15-minute discussion, but didn’t speak.
Masvidal’s lawyers also intend to file motions in order to investigate the alleged damages to Covington’s $90,000 Rolex, which he was wearing at the time of the altercation. Also past medical records. The police records state that $15,000 was the amount of damage done. The request asked that the evidence would be kept “status quo,” meaning that if the watch wasn’t altered since the incident, that it remains that way so that it can be examined.
As of now, a status hearing would be the next step and that is tentatively scheduled for May 12.
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