Jorge Masvidal Reaches Plea Deal, Felony Charges Dropped in Colby Covington Case

Jorge Masvidal reached a plea deal with prosecutors on Monday to have two felony charges dropped in relation to his attack on Colby Covington on March 2022.

According to a report from MMAjunkie.com, Masvidal pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge in Miami-Dade County (Fla.) court as part of the plea agreement. Masvidal, who was in attendance alonside his attorney, Saam Zanganeh, was sentenced to time served and court costs. Time served includes previous appearances at police stations and court hearings.

More significantly for Masvidal, two felony charges of battery and criminal mischief were dropped. The former UFC welterweight contender had faced up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine for the felony charges. The guilty verdict for the misdemeanor battery charge will remain on Masvidal’s criminal record. Covington was reportedly given the option to be in court, but he was not present on Monday.

Masvidal attacked Covington outside a Miami restaurant a few days after their fight at UFC 272, which Covington won via unanimous decision. Covington claimed that the incident resulted in him having a “brain injury,” fractured tooth, an abrasion on his wrist and extensive damage to his Rolex watch. Covington stated that Masvidal told him “You shouldn’t have been talking about my kids” during the assault.

Covington and Masvidal were former friends and training partners at American Top Team before their falling out. Masvidal retired from MMA following a loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 this past April, but he has recently expressed interest in taking a boxing match in the near future. Covington will compete for the first time since the Masvidal bout when he faces Leon Edwards for the welterweight title in the UFC 296 main event on Dec. 16.