The long-standing legal dispute between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal has once again landed in the courtroom.
Once close allies who trained together for almost a decade at American Top Team, Covington and Masvidal saw their bond deteriorate as their careers progressed. The rise of egos and underlying resentments transformed their friendship into one of the UFC’s most intense rivalries. This animosity finally culminated inside the Octagon at UFC 272, where “Chaos” Covington secured a decisive unanimous decision victory over his former teammate.
While many anticipated that their in-cage encounter would resolve the animosity, the feud only intensified. Just weeks after their fight, “Gamebred” Masvidal ambushed Covington outside Papi Steak in Miami Beach, catching him off guard as he was leaving the restaurant. This incident led to significant legal trouble for Masvidal, who subsequently faced charges of aggravated battery and criminal mischief.
Following a series of court appearances, the case against the former BMF titleholder concluded in November 2023, with Masvidal pleading guilty to the charges. He was ultimately sentenced to time already served and mandated to cover the legal costs associated with the case. Despite the serious nature of the charges, which carried a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, Masvidal avoided any additional jail time.
Now, in April 2026, Colby Covington has reignited the legal battle, taking Jorge Masvidal to court once more in a continuation of the fallout from the 2022 attack.
Colby Covington Seeks Over $50,000 in Damages from Jorge Masvidal for 2022 Miami Assault
On March 23, Colby Covington formally initiated a lawsuit in Miami-Dade County, targeting Jorge Masvidal and seeking more than $50,000 in compensation related to the 2022 steakhouse altercation.
According to court documents filed by Covington’s legal team, his decisive victory over Masvidal at UFC 272 allegedly enraged the 41-year-old Miami native. The filings further claim that “Gamebred” issued a direct threat during his post-fight interview, stating, “if I see him out in the streets, I’m going to give him everything I got to break his f*cking jaw.”
Covington’s attorneys argue that Masvidal’s attack was deliberate and intended to inflict serious injuries. They further assert that “Chaos” suffered both head and physical injuries as a result of the incident, and also claim that his Rolex watch sustained approximately $15,000 in damage.
Colby Covington has formally requested a jury trial, though a court date has not yet been scheduled following the filing of the lawsuit.
