The bad blood between former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington and ex-teammate Jorge Masvidal is back in the spotlight after Covington formally filed a civil lawsuit over the alleged attack that took place just weeks after their UFC 272 main event in 2022.
A legal fight is now unfolding in South Florida between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, stemming from the March 2022 altercation that followed their UFC 272 bout. Covington filed a civil lawsuit on March 23 in Miami-Dade County, Florida, seeking damages tied to the alleged assault outside Papi Steak in Miami Beach. The case revives one of the nastiest personal feuds the UFC has seen in recent years, especially because these two were once close friends and training partners at American Top Team.
Covington had defeated Masvidal by unanimous decision on March 5 in Las Vegas, controlling the fight over five rounds and settling the score inside the cage, at least temporarily. According to the lawsuit, the conflict carried over after the event. Covington claims Masvidal made threats in media appearances following the loss, and then attacked him on March 21 outside the restaurant.
In the filing, Covington alleges he suffered a brain injury and significant damage to an expensive Rolex watch, with repair costs reportedly around $15,000. He is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, though some reports have placed the figure above $100,000 before interest, legal fees, and court costs. He is also requesting a jury trial. The lawsuit cites medical expenses, lost income, physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
Masvidal has already faced criminal consequences in the case. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and received a two-day jail sentence, which amounted to time already served before trial.
For MMA fans in the U.S., the story lands as another reminder of how deeply personal this rivalry became after the ATT split and months of public shots between the two. It also comes at a time when both men are trying to define the late stage of their fighting careers. Covington remains on the UFC roster and still sees himself as relevant in the welterweight title picture, while Masvidal has stepped away from the promotion but remains a major name in the sport.
Now the feud moves from the Octagon to the courtroom, and the next development to watch is whether Masvidal responds aggressively in the civil case or pushes to bring this long-running dispute to a final close.
