American music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was hospitalised after reportedly suffering a head injury during a prison fight with notorious Jamaican drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke at a federal correctional facility in New Jersey.
The 56-year-old rapper and producer allegedly clashed with Coke at the Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix on Friday, October 9, according to entertainment outlet TMZ, which cited multiple sources inside the prison.
Combs was transported to an outside medical facility early Saturday morning after sustaining a head injury during the alleged confrontation. His injuries were reportedly not life-threatening, and he returned to prison later that morning.
The confrontation was reportedly triggered by growing resentment among inmates following revelations about Combs’ allegedly privileged lifestyle behind bars.
According to TMZ, prison authorities carried out at least two raids after NBC News reported that Combs had enjoyed access to prohibited mobile phones, alcohol and other privileges.
The searches reportedly resulted in the confiscation of contraband belonging to several inmates, including Coke, who allegedly blamed Combs for drawing unwanted scrutiny to the prison.
TMZ reported that the two men exchanged blows while Combs was taking a daily break from the prison’s Special Housing Unit, where he had already been held following the controversy over his alleged privileges.
Both inmates were reportedly subjected to an additional two weeks of restrictive confinement following the incident.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has not publicly confirmed the alleged fight, and the circumstances surrounding Combs’ injuries remain unverified.
Combs’ representative, Juda Engelmayer, said the rapper’s legal team was working to establish the circumstances of his injuries, stressing that his health and well-being remained the immediate priority.
Coke, a former leader of Jamaica’s notorious Shower Posse criminal organisation, was sentenced to 23 years in a US federal prison in 2012 after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon.
His extradition to the United States in 2010 followed deadly clashes between Jamaican security forces and armed supporters in Kingston.
Combs, meanwhile, is serving a 50-month prison sentence after being convicted in July 2025 on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of more serious racketeering and sex-trafficking charges.
His projected release date has recently been pushed back to March 2, 2028, amid reports of disciplinary problems and allegations of prohibited privileges inside the prison.
