Jorge Masvidal accused of giving Colby Covington a brain injury during attack, given stay away order

Jorge Masvidal is being accused of attacking his UFC rival Colby Covington and causing him to suffer a brain injury, according to court documents obtained by ESPN.

Masvidal, one of the UFC's most popular fighters, pleaded not guilty to two felony charges Thursday morning in Miami. Masvidal is being accused of aggravated battery and criminal mischief, stemming from an alleged March 21 attack in Miami Beach, Florida. On Thursday, the court issued a stay-away order on Masvidal. He cannot come within 25 feet of Covington.

The count of aggravated battery contains language that Masvidal struck Covington with a deadly weapon — his hands or fists — and caused great bodily harm (a brain injury). The criminal mischief charge stipulates that Masvidal caused more than $1,000 damage to Covington's property, in this case a watch.

Masvidal remains out of custody on conditional release. He made bail March 24 following an arrest a day earlier. Masvidal's next court date is scheduled for May 12.

Mauricio Padilla and Brad Cohen, Masvidal's legal team, indicated during the hearing that they will likely file a motion to inspect the damage to the watch and Covington's medical tests.

Masvidal and Covington are former best friends, roommates and training partners at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, before turning into hated rivals.

On March 21, Masvidal allegedly punched a man twice in the face outside the Papi Steak restaurant in Miami Beach, according to an incident report obtained by ESPN via the Miami Beach Police Department. The report stated that the man suffered a broken tooth and $15,000 damage to his $90,000 Rolex watch.

Covington's name was not initially in law enforcement documents, but it has appeared now in court