Colby Covington has filed a lawsuit against Jorge Masvidal over a 2022 incident outside a Miami Beach restaurant. The suit follows the fighters’ March 5, 2022 meeting at UFC 272 and a later street attack on March 21, 2022.
Lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade
The civil case was filed in Miami-Dade County on March 23. The complaint seeks damages and lists injuries and other losses Covington says he suffered after the March 21, 2022 attack.
The initial filing describes the damages as in excess of $50,000. The cover sheet attached to the lawsuit notes that Covington is actually seeking more than $100,000 in total damages.
What happened after UFC 272
Covington and Masvidal fought at UFC 272 on March 5, 2022. The court papers note that Covington won that fight by unanimous decision.
According to the lawsuit, Masvidal had threatened Covington during a post-fight interview, saying, “if I see him out in the streets, I’m going to give him everything I got to break his f*cking jaw.”
On March 21, as Covington left the Papi Steak restaurant in Miami Beach, the suit says Masvidal “ambushed” him and began a physical attack without warning. The filing claims Masvidal struck Covington with a closed fist to the face. It calls the assault “sudden, intentional, and calculated” and says Covington had no chance to protect himself.
Criminal case and public reaction
Criminal charges were filed after the incident. Masvidal later reached a plea deal and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery. He was given time served and ordered to pay case fees. He did not receive additional jail time.
After the court hearing, Masvidal posted on social media and responded to Covington, saying in part, “F*ck you, Colby… It’s going to be a f*cking movie now. All these orders, all these restraining orders been lifted off. It’s going to be a f*cking movie.”
Alleged injuries and claims for damages
Covington’s lawyers say the attack was “unprovoked” and was carried out with the intent to harm. The lawsuit lists many harms Covington claims to have suffered. These include bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, physical impairment, and mental anguish.
The complaint also claims loss of the ability to enjoy life, and expenses for hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment. Covington’s attorneys say the injuries are either permanent or continuing and that he will suffer future losses.
No court date has been announced yet following the March filing.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Colby Covington | Win by unanimous decision at UFC 272 (March 5, 2022) |
| Jorge Masvidal | Loss by unanimous decision at UFC 272 (March 5, 2022) |
