Jorge Masvidal has finally responded to the latest twist in his long-running feud with Colby Covington, and the bad blood between the former American Top Team teammates shows no signs of cooling down.
What started as a friendship inside one of MMA’s most famous gyms has now turned into one of the sport’s ugliest rivalries, stretching from the Octagon to the courtroom.
Covington recently filed a six-figure civil lawsuit against Masvidal, claiming he suffered “bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, physical impairment, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment” following an alleged attack outside a Miami Beach restaurant in 2022.
Masvidal eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery in connection with the incident, closing the criminal case. The civil suit, however, keeps the rivalry alive in a very different arena.
Speaking on Deep Waters, Masvidal made it clear that while he has managed to maintain respect with most of his former opponents, Covington stands alone.
“For the most part, I get along with everybody,” Masvidal said. “Everyone that I fought, it’s like I’m cool with them afterwards. If I see them, I share a meal with them. I’ll f**ing hang out, talk some sht.”
Masvidal didn’t hold back when addressing Covington directly.
“But just one rat-ass motherf***er, it’s literally a rat. I shouldn’t even say his name because he’s already suing me. Colby Covington’s the only one I really never messed with like that.”
Covington’s lawsuit is still moving through the court system, with no timeline set for trial or settlement talks. The case adds another chapter to a rivalry already defined by chaos inside and outside the cage.
Their animosity peaked after UFC 272, where Covington defeated Masvidal by unanimous decision in a one-sided main event. What followed only escalated tensions further, including the alleged post-fight incident in Miami.
Masvidal later addressed the ongoing legal situation while also hinting at behind-the-scenes discussions about a potential UFC return.
“We’re talking,” Masvidal said. “They owe me some money for some cleaning bills and sh*t, too. We’re definitely talking. We’ve been talking for a minute. It’s just we haven’t landed [a deal]. I love [the UFC] to death but they make you work for every single thing. We’re going to get something done though.”
Masvidal, who has not competed in MMA since 2023, says he remains open to fighting at either welterweight or middleweight. However, he prefers a full training camp of at least “four or five months” before stepping back into the Octagon.
“I’ll be honest with you, if they give me the Leon [Edwards] fight, I’ll get to [170 pounds] tomorrow,” Masvidal said. “I would like that fight. He doesn’t have nothing scheduled. After the three piece and a soda, now it’s the whole buffet I’m going to hit this motherf***er with. I would love it.”
The callout references their infamous backstage altercation in London, where Masvidal struck Edwards before security intervened.
Masvidal believes the Edwards fight still makes sense, especially with both men coming off difficult stretches in their careers.
“He had said he wouldn’t fight me because I had like three or four losses in a row,” Masvidal said. “I think he’s got like four losses in a row and by KO. That’s low-hanging fruit for the UFC. Give me what I’m asking for and we’re good to go.”
As Covington’s lawsuit plays out and Masvidal’s UFC future remains in negotiation, one thing is clear: this rivalry didn’t end when the cage door closed, it simply evolved into something bigger, messier, and far more personal.
