The scheduled trial for UFC star Jorge Masvidal continues to be delayed, but will it even happen?
At a hearing Wednesday in Miami-Dade County court, Masvidal’s case was continued with a new pre-trial date of May 10 in anticipation of a May 22 trial start. However, Masvidal’s defense attorney, Saam Zangeneh, who joined virtually, indicated that a deal could be struck before then.
Masvidal, 38, has pleaded not guilty to single counts of aggravated battery and criminal mischief after he allegedly attacked former friend and UFC opponent Colby Covington outside a Miami steak restaurant.
“We’re not ready (to proceed) either,” Zangeneh said at the hearing, which MMA Junkie attended virtually. “We have the last round of depositions coming up, and I believe we’re going to be setting up with Mr. Simpson (assistant state attorney at Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office) to see if we can resolve this case. I can tell the court I’m in a multiweek trial in the district of the Virgin Islands starting on the 27th of this month. I think it would be prudent to potentially set this for status at the end of March. I think we may be able to get this resolved.”
Masvidal did not appear in person or virtually at the hearing.
If found guilty, Masvidal could face up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine for second-degree felony aggravated battery with additional penalties possible for the criminal mischief charge.
The alleged incident took place roughly two weeks after Covington defeated Masvidal by unanimous decision in the UFC 272 headliner. Covington has claimed he suffered a brain injury and chipped tooth as a result of the attack.
Neither Masvidal nor Covington has competed since the alleged incident, though Masvidal is scheduled to fight April 8 vs. Gilbert Burns in Miami.
