Jorge Masvidal says he ain’t getting a fair shake in his aggravated battery case … claiming in new court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, that Colby Covington received preferential treatment from cops during their altercation in Miami last year.
In the docs, Masvidal says he has evidence that on several occasions during their confrontation on March 21, 2022, outside of a popular restaurant … Covington was treated with “favoritism” by the Miami Beach Police Department.
Specifically, Masvidal says after the alleged attack … Covington did not call 911 — but instead phoned a high-ranking MBPD sergeant who was the UFC star’s “pal and training partner … so he could receive concierge police intervention.”
TMZSports.com
Masvidal claims after Covington called the sergeant, the officer then radioed the matter into the station as a “Code 3” — which, according to Masvidal, is “reserved for shooting and active dangerous felonies.” Masvidal also says the sergeant “made additional calls to individual officers to ‘get over immediately’ to the scene” — while also diverting “over 20 officers from their duties and responsibilities” to make sure they got Covington help.
In addition, Masvidal says Covington made a statement during a podcast interview prior to the street encounter that he “rolls with the Miami Beach Police Department” — which Masvidal claims further proves he may have gotten special treatment on the night of the alleged attack.
Masvidal’s attorney, Bradford Cohen, now wants several things — including Covington’s podcast comment — to be admitted into evidence for the UFC fighter’s impending trial in the case … believing it will help prove his client is getting a raw deal.
TMZSports.com
“From our investigation and witness depositions it’s clear that protocol was not followed that evening and Mr. Covington received preferential treatment,” Cohen said in a statement this week. “Sadly, the people of Miami Beach that needed an officer that night, at that time probably suffered due to over 15 officers responding to a misdemeanor offense.”
We’ve reached out to the Miami Beach Police Department for comment — but so far no word back yet.
As we previously reported, Masvidal is facing serious jail time in the case after he was hit with charges of felony aggravated battery and felony criminal mischief following allegations that he punched Covington twice in an ambush outside of Papi Steak.
Meanwhile, Covington — who claims to have suffered a brain injury, a chipped tooth, and a damaged Rolex watch in the attack — appears to have recovered from the altercation … as he’s been rumored to be the next opponent for UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
The next hearing in Masvidal’s case has been set for early May.