UFC star Jorge Masvidal will possible face felony charge after allegedly assaulting Colby Covington outside of a Miami Beach steakhouse.
The Miami Beach Police Department has opened an investigation into the physical altercation, which occurred Monday night.
A video obtained by TMZ shows Masvidal being held back after charging at Covington outside Papi Steak. He can be heard screaming, “Don’t talk about my kids”, at the former UFC interim welterweight champion.
“Masvidal, wearing a surgical mask and hoodie, sucker punched Covington twice”, FOX Sports reporter and local resident Andy Slater wrote on Twitter. “Covington was hit in the mouth and eye. One of his teeth did break, cops say”.
Covington – who defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-44, 50-45) at UFC 272 in Las Vegas just weeks ago – suffered a fractured front left tooth as well as an abrasion to his wrist, TMZ Sports reported.
Also Read | UFC Vegas 48: Jim Miller knocks out Nikolas Motta, equals all-time record
“The initial call to police came from one of Colby Covington’s coaches”, Slater continued. “Cops were told that Covington was the victim in the altercation with Masvidal [who is] facing a felony arrest if Covington cooperates with police and their investigation proves the UFC star’s claims”.
According to the police report, cited by USA Today’s MMA Junkie, officers responded to a battery call outside the restaurant at 10:54 p.m. local time. The “victim” alleged that Masvidal ran up from his left and punched him twice in the face (once in the mouth and once in the left eye) upon leaving the restaurant.
The victim described a group of “three or four other unknown males approaching him in an aggressive manner”. Police said that, at that point, the victim “pushed one of the unknown makes away and separated himself from the attackers and ran back into the Papi Steak restaurant where he contacted police”.
The 37-year-old Miami native posted a video following the incident, seemingly addressing the attack.
Also Read | UFC 270: Deiveson Figueiredo beats Brandon Moreno, reclaims flyweight title
“Calling this the show-your-face challenge, you know?” Masvidal said. “Um, what’s up? I’m from Dade County. You talk that s—, you gotta back it up. That’s how my city rolls, man.”
Masvidal’s managers, Malki Kawa and Ibrahim Kawa of First Round Management, also appeared to acknowledge the attack.
“I’m hearing that a someone not from miami who says he’s the king of it is missing a tooth. Can someone confirm this? I need the video asap,” the Twitter post read.
Police said that no arrests have been made so far in the case.
Following his UFC 272 win, Covington – who currently lives in South Florida – and called himself the “f——- King of Miami”.