Jorge Masvidal questioned how Colby Covington can fight for a world title with a brain injury, following the restaurant incident which left Masvidal charged with aggravated battery and criminal mischief.
UFC welterweights Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington have been embroiled in one of the biggest rivalries in the history of combat sports. The two were once close friends and training partners, but their friendship quickly turned into bitter enmity. Inside the ring, Covington managed to best Masvidal, but it may have been Masvidal who scored a win outside the cage at a Miami restaurant weeks after his loss to Covington.
Their personal animosity toward each other, with Covington bringing up members of Masvidal’s family, allegedly spilled outside of the ring, resulting in an aggravated battery charge and a count of criminal mischief against Masvidal. Covington claimed to have suffered a brain injury during the alleged assault, which led Masvidal to question how Covington could fight for a world title with a brain injury.
Despite this controversy, UFC President Dana White announced that Covington would be getting the next title shot against current champion Leon Edwards. Masvidal is set to fight No. 5 ranked Gilbert Burns in the UFC 287 co-main event and is hoping to deliver a performance that will change White’s mind.
Masvidal had some choice words to say about Covington, calling him a “crotch sniffer” and questioning how someone with a brain injury could continue to fight for a world title. However, Masvidal also believes that White may be setting the stage for him to make a big impression during his upcoming fight with Burns.
The longstanding rivalry between Masvidal and Covington has been one of the most talked-about feuds in the UFC over the past few years. While their animosity toward each other may be personal, it has certainly added to the excitement surrounding their fights and has made for some memorable moments both inside and outside the Octagon. Whatever happens next in their careers, it’s clear that the tension between these two fighters is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.