Belal Muhammad (Credits: UFC)
UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad offers his help to Jorge Masvidal
At a hearing on Wednesday in Miami-Dade County court, Jorge Masvidal’s case was continued with a new pre-trial date of May 10, in advance of a trial start date of May 22. However, Saam Zangeneh, Masvidal’s defence attorney, who joined virtually, indicated that a deal could be reached before then.
Masvidal, 38, has pleaded not guilty to single counts of aggravated battery and criminal mischief after allegedly attacking former friend and UFC opponent Colby Covington outside a steak restaurant in Miami.
Since his fight with Colby Covington at UFC 272 in March of 2018, ‘Gamebred’ has been sidelined. Although they had been good friends for many years prior to the fight, tensions were running high before the fight. In the conflict amongst former allies, “Chaos” triumphed with an unanimous decision.
After the fight, feelings remained volatile. Masvidal allegedly attacked Covington outside a Miami restaurant weeks after the initial bout. Covington claims that after being charged from behind, he was punched multiple times. Although he was swiftly apprehended, Masvidal has maintained his innocence.
“We’re not ready (to proceed) either,” Masvidal’s defense attorney, Saam Zangeneh said at the hearing, which MMA Junkie attended virtually. “We have the last round of depositions coming up, and I believe we’re going to be setting up with Mr. Simpson (assistant state attorney at Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office) to see if we can resolve this case. I can tell the court I’m in a multiweek trial in the district of the Virgin Islands starting on the 27th of this month. I think it would be prudent to potentially set this for status at the end of March. I think we may be able to get this resolved.”
Jorge Masvidal will return to the octagon for the first time in a year to face Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. Most people believe that at age 38, this is his last chance to challenge for the division title.
Although it remains to be seen what will transpire in the ongoing court trial, top-ranked welterweight contender Belal Muhammad has offered his help to Masvidal to plan an alibi:
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