Photos showing the damage on Colby Covington’s face and his Rolex watch have surfaced in the wake of an alleged attack by UFC rival Jorge Masvidal.
On Monday, Masvidal’s legal counsel, Cohen & McMullen, P.A., filed two motions, both obtained by MMA Junkie, in the ongoing criminal case as they look to inspect both Covington’s health and the damage on a Rolex they suspect could be inauthenic.
Masvidal, 37, faces charges of aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm and criminal mischief. He pleaded not guilty to both counts. The charges stem from an alleged physical altercation with Covington on March 21 in Miami Beach.
Covington alleged that Masvidal ran up to him from his left and punched him twice in the face outside Papi Steak restaurant.
Covington told police that Masvidal was wearing a blue surgical mask, a hoodie over his head, and sweatpants. In Florida, an aggravated battery charge can be elevated from a second-degree felony to a first-degree offense if the alleged offender wore a “hood, mask, or other device that concealed his or her identity,” according to criminal statute 775.0845.
On Monday, online court records showed a “NO ACTION” listed next to Masvidal’s charge for aggravated battery while wearing a hood or a mask (a criminal enhancement), meaning the State Attorney’s office has decided to not seek an indictment on that charge.
Last week, Covington updated the aggravated battery charge, citing a “brain injury” from the alleged attack. Originally, the victim had mentioned a chipped tooth.
Masvidal’s legal team filed a motion to require Covington undergo independent medical examinations.
Masvidal’s lawyer, Brad Cohen, notes that Covington fought Masvidal in a sanctioned, five-round professional fight two weeks prior on March 5 at UFC 272 where Covington “received several serious blows to the head” in the match. Cohen’s argument is that it’s unclear what injury Covington sustained from the Miami incident.
Masvidal’s legal team also claims the evidence collected “clearly” contradicts Covington’s allegations, stating that in “exclusive footage” Covington was seen facing the individual he identified as Masvidal rather than allegedly getting hit from behind. Masvidal’s legal team noted some comments Covington said prior to the incident in an interview on the “Full Send Podcast”:
“Dude imagine if we’re in the streets, bro, no one is going to pull me off you [Defendant – Jorge Masvidal], you’re f*cking dead motherf*cker.”
On the criminal mischief charge, Covington claimed that his watch – allegedly a gold Rolex worth $95,000 – sustained $15,000 worth of damage. The second motion asks the court to grant an order permitting independent inspection of the watch.
The defense said it has not received any evidence supporting the allegations on the damage to the watch aside from a couple of images showing “simple wear-and-tear scratches.” Proof of purchase for the alleged $95,000 Rolex also has not been shown to the defense.
Masvidal’s legal team also claimed the Rolex appears to be made up of a mix of Rolex and non- Rolex parts, which they referred to as a “FOLEX” or a “Frankenstein Rolex” – a term used in the industry that indicates a watch is composed of aftermarket parts, including fake or knock-off Rolex parts and possibly real Rolex components.
Masvidal’s next court appearance is set for May 12, at which time it’s possible a trial date could be set. Last week, Judge Zachary James of Florida’s 11th Circuit Court granted Covington a stay-away order, which orders Masvidal to keep 25 feet away from Covington and 500 feet away from Covington’s residence.
