UFC lightweight contender and Octagon veteran Din Thomas has been arrested in Port St. Lucie, Florida, for coordinating "illegal cage fighting" bouts inside his American Top Team-affiliated training facility, according to TCPalm.com.
"Dinyero" is up against a serious felony if the charges stick.
Here's a snip:
"Inside, [police] observed two men fighting in an octagon-shaped ring surrounded by about 150 spectators. The fights reportedly weren't sanctioned."
Of course, the Florida Boxing Commission (FBC) needs to issue its blessing for any mixed martial arts fights to be considered "legal." Furthermore, no MMA fights are allowed at the amateur level in the Sunshine State.
Here's what it all boils down to:
"At the end of the day, he was having a professional mixed martial arts match that was not licensed through us [FBC]. It was a case of unlicensed activity."
Certainly not good news for Thomas or the sport -- this article makes it seem as if it was some kind of underground, bareknuckle bloodsport when in reality it was more than likely a glorified sparring session.
Not to mention Thomas -- also a contestant on season four of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) -- is coming of off a disappointing performance against Kenny Florian at UFC Fight Night 11 last month in which he injured his knee.
When it rains it pours.
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