Colby Covington has filed a civil lawsuit against Jorge Masvidal over the 2022 attack outside Papi Steak in Miami Beach, alleging the assault was deliberate and seeking damages above the standard threshold listed in the case. According to court documents, the lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on March 23.
The filing says the attack happened after Covington defeated Masvidal in their UFC grudge match and points to Masvidal’s post-fight warning that if he saw Covington in the streets, he would try to break his jaw. The lawsuit alleges that on March 21, 2022, Covington left the restaurant when Masvidal ambushed him and punched him in the face with a closed fist. The complaint describes the attack as sudden, intentional, and calculated, and says Covington had no chance to defend himself. MMA Fighting first reported the filing details.
🚨 Colby Covington has officially filed a lawsuit against Jorge Masvidal after being attacked on the street in 2022
He claims he suffered disfigurement and a brain injury resulting in pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life… pic.twitter.com/Plq1ZgsBPj
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) April 2, 2026
Covington says the damage did not end with the criminal case
Masvidal already resolved the criminal side of the incident by pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery. He was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay the fees tied to the case, but he did not receive additional jail time.
After that hearing, he also fired back on social media, saying:
“F*ck you, Colby. It’s going to be a f*cking movie now. All these orders, all these restraining orders been lifted off. It’s going to be a f*cking movie.”
This new filing is separate and focuses on civil damages.
In the lawsuit, Covington claims he suffered bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, physical impairment, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and medical-related expenses. His attorneys also argue that some of those damages are permanent or continuing and say he is expected to keep suffering losses in the future. The complaint seeks all allowable damages and other relief the court finds appropriate. While the lawsuit references damages exceeding $50,000, the civil cover sheet reportedly lists the claim as being worth more than $100,000.
The case revives one of the ugliest rivalries the UFC has had in years. Covington and Masvidal were once close teammates before their split turned into one of the promotion’s nastier personal feuds, something Covington himself has discussed while looking back on how far the relationship collapsed. The off-cage fallout did not stop after their fight, and the restaurant incident already remained part of Masvidal’s record after his plea deal in the Covington case.
Since the altercation, Covington has fought twice in the UFC, losing to Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley, while also competing in RAF events. Masvidal retired from MMA after his loss to Gilbert Burns, returned for a boxing match against Nate Diaz, and has since said he wants another UFC fight, though none has been booked.
No court date has been set in the civil case.
