Colby Covington Sues Former Training Partner
Colby Covington has taken the legal route against Jorge Masvidal, filing a civil lawsuit demanding damages exceeding $50,000 for a street assault that rocked the MMA world in 2022. The former interim welterweight champion isn’t messing about – he’s demanding a jury trial and seeking compensation for what he describes as “bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life and loss of ability to earn money.”
Filed on March 23 in Miami-Dade County, this legal battle represents the latest chapter in one of the sport’s most venomous rivalries. The 38-year-old Covington clearly isn’t ready to let sleeping dogs lie after what went down between these former American Top Team teammates.
From Teammates to Bitter Enemies
The bad blood reached boiling point following UFC 272 on March 5, 2022, where Covington systematically dismantled Masvidal over five gruelling rounds. After securing a unanimous decision victory over his former roommate and training partner, the drama was far from over. Masvidal, seething with rage, threatened to “break his f—ing jaw” on the streets.
Sixteen days later, Covington’s worst fears materialised. He accused Masvidal of launching a masked attack on the streets of Miami, where both fighters reside. The “Gamebred” star eventually faced the music, pleading guilty to misdemeanour battery in a plea deal that saw criminal charges stick.
Careers in Different Directions
Meanwhile, both fighters have taken divergent paths since their explosive encounter. Covington (17-5) hasn’t stepped foot in the octagon since suffering a brutal TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024 – a devastating setback for the former title contender.
Conversely, Masvidal (35-17) walked away from the UFC in 2023 but couldn’t resist the lure of combat sports entirely. The former BMF champion crossed over to boxing, facing Nate Diaz in 2024 and has since teased a potential return to MMA competition. For a fighter who became one of the sport’s biggest stars over the past decade, retirement might prove temporary.
This lawsuit ensures their bitter feud continues long after the final bell rang at UFC 272.
