Jorge Masvidal pleads not guilty to assault charges

Ultimate Fighting Championship star Jorge Masvidal has entered a plea of not guilty for his charges of battery and criminal mischief.

According to online court records from the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts office, Masvidal has entered a written plea of not guilty for his charges. On Wednesday, “Gamebred” was charged with aggravated battery and criminal mischief, both felonies, following his alleged altercation with Colby Covington on Monday night. Additionally, Masvidal has issued a demand for a trial by jury, and he and his team have requested discovery as well as a waiver to not require his presence at any pre-trial conference. The court date is set for April 21.

Masvidal posted bail after his arrest on Wednesday, which was paid as a $5,000 surety bond. The criminal mischief charge stems from Covington’s claim that Masvidal damaged his watch during the alleged assault, a $90,000 Rolex which will cost $15,000 to repair. This charge is considered a felony due to the dollar amount of the damage, which exceeded $1,000. The other, for aggravated battery – while wearing a mask or other covering to conceal one’s identity, which increases its severity, even if it was for COVID-19 purposes – is punishable by up to 15 years in prison as well as a $10,000 fine. It is considered this type of felony due to the person intentionally causing "great bodily harm" to the victim.

Covington has since made a formal statement to police, including the above claim that Masvidal damaged his watch. Additionally, Covington alleged that Masvidal assaulted him outside of the Papi Steak Restaurant in Miami, which resulted in a fractured tooth and an abrasion on his wrist. The former interim UFC champ stated that he recognized Masvidal by the sound of his voice and by his hair protruding from his hoodie. The sworn statement, one that resulted in Masvidal’s arrest, included a detail that Masvidal yelled, “you shouldn’t have been talking about my kids” during the attack.