MIAMI – A continuance has been granted in UFC star [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag]’s battery case for his alleged assault of rival Colby Covington.
The continuance was issued by a judge on Wednesday at the request of the office of State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. The reason for the continuance is unclear. Masvidal is set to appear in court next week, April 28. He was not present at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Wednesday but was represented by attorneys Mauricio Padilla and Brad Cohen.
Masvidal, 37, entered a written plea of not guilty last month to one count each of aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm and criminal mischief. The charges stem from an alleged physical altercation with Covington outside a restaurant March 21.
Masvidal entered his plea after being arrested by Miami Beach police and booked into jail March 23. He posted a $5,000 bond and was released the same night.
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According to a police report, the victim (Covington was not explicitly named) fractured a tooth and suffered a wrist abrasion, alleging Masvidal ran up from his left and punched him twice in the face upon leaving Papi Steak restaurant.
The victim told police that Masvidal was wearing a blue surgical mask, a hoodie over his head and sweatpants. In Florida, an aggravated battery charge can be elevated from a second-degree felony offense to a first-degree offense if the alleged offender wore a “hood, mask, or other device that concealed his or her identity,” according to criminal statute 775.0845.
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. A first-degree felony aggravated battery charge for allegedly concealing his identity could yield a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
In his only public comments, Masvidal has referred to the incident with Covington as “a mutual combatance [sic] with another athlete.”
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