Judge Orders Jorge Masvidal To Stay Away From Colby Covington After Suffering 'Brain Injury' From Attack

Jorge Masvidal has been ordered by a judge to stay away from UFC rival Colby Covington following an alleged attack last month.

The former training partners and friends-turned-bitter enemies were reportedly involved in an altercation during a night out in Miami, which resulted in police getting called to the scene.

According to reports made with authorities at the time, Covington sustained a chipped tooth and had his watch damaged when he was confronted by his nemesis not long after their grudge match at UFC 272.

But updated charges now say that Covington claims to have suffered a "brain injury" as a result of the alleged incident.

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At the time, Masvidal was arrested by Miami Beach Police but posted bond of $5,000 and was subsequently released.

But in his latest court appearance where new evidence was brought to the table, Masvidal maintained his innocence, sticking with his same not guilty pleas for two aggravated battery counts against him.

The updated charges allege that Masvidal hit his fellow fighter "with a deadly weapon, to wit: HAND(S) or FIST(S) and/or did knowingly and intentionally cause great bodily harm, to wit: BRAIN INJURY...

In new court documents, the victim - now known to be Covington - alleges that Masvidal ran up to him and punched him twice in the face outside a restaurant while wearing a blue surgical mask and a hoodie over his head.

In the U.S. state of Florida, an aggravated battery charge can be upgraded from a second-degree felony to first-degree if the alleged offender wore a "hood, mask, or other device that concealed his or her identity".

Meaning if Masvidal is found guilty, he could face up to 15 years in prison for second-degree felony aggravated battery or 30 years behind bars if it's elevated to first-degree felony aggravated battery charge for allegedly concealing his identity.

A new court date was set for mid-May, however Florida-based judge Zachary James did issue Masvidal with a stay-away order for Covington.

Topics: Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Mixed Martial Arts, UFC, Australia, MMA

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry