Jorge Masvidal felt a surge of relief as his legal battle with Colby Covington finally concluded.
The former BMF champion pleaded guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor battery charge as part of a plea deal with the state of Florida’s prosecution team. In exchange, the two felony charges of battery and criminal mischief were dropped. These charges stemmed from an incident in March 2022, where Masvidal attacked Covington outside a Miami restaurant shortly after losing a decision to him at UFC 272.
“It’s finally over. It’s finally over,” Masvidal expressed to Ariel Helwani. “I can now unleash my aggression on those who deserve it. I’m back, and it’s going to be one hell of a show. I had to be on my best behavior for a while, but now I can’t wait to put a few people in their place.”
Despite the resolution, Masvidal made it clear that his feud with Covington is far from over. He believes that they will cross paths again in the future.
“I don’t know when, but Colby and I will meet again at some point. Whether it’s in the cage or somewhere else, we will face each other. He will have to answer for his lies, for pressing charges, and for everything he’s done to me. It’s going to be an interesting encounter, and I will knock the rest of his teeth out. I already knocked out two of his fake teeth back in March 2022.
“(If) we see each other, let’s settle it like men. No games or grudges. I don’t really care about him. But when I do see him, he will have to answer for all his past comments and for putting me through this court case and all the nonsense.
“They took away my guns. I’m in Miami, and I need my guns. It’s wild out here. But they said I can’t have them while I have an ongoing case.”
Masvidal was potentially facing up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine for the second-degree felony aggravated battery charge, along with additional penalties for the criminal mischief charge. Throughout the process, Masvidal maintained his innocence until his guilty plea on Monday.
Masvidal announced his retirement after a loss to Gilbert Burns in April at UFC 297. However, he has hinted at a possible return to combat sports. Meanwhile, Covington hasn’t fought since defeating Masvidal in March 2022. He is set to challenge UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296 on December 16.
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