Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Desmond Green filed a motion to travel to the since cancelled bare-knuckle event in December
UFC lightweight Desmond Green was arrested on June 25, 2019 and booked on 20 separate charges. The most serious of those charges were two second-degree felony counts of DUI manslaughter. The 29-year-old was also charged with four third-degree felony counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury; third-degree felony possession of cocaine; five misdemeanor counts of DUI property damage; and third-degree felony driving with a suspended license.
The reason for Green’s arrest and the multitude of charges was an August 18, 2018 traffic accident in Florida. Green allegedly veered his 2011 Dodge Durango into the path of a truck carrying a trailer in the next lane. During the accident, which involved three other vehicles, the 2007 Toyota Yaris carrying Emelina Morfa, 67, and Emma Suarez Hernandez, 76, hit a guardrail and flipped over. Morfa and Hernandez were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of that vehicle was seriously injured. Police were dispatched to the scene of the accident at 6:14 am according to online records.
Green posted bond totalling $194,000 on all charges on June 28, 2019. On July 15, Green filed a written plea of not guilty on all charges. Green is still awaiting trial on all charges.
Green’s case was mostly quiet between July and December. Then, on December 12, Green filed a motion to temporarily modify the conditions of his pre-trial release.
In the six-page filing Bloody Elbow has obtained, Green noted that he “earns a living and supports himself and family as a mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.” The reason Green filed the motion was because he had “an opportunity to participate in a competition scheduled for January 11, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida.”
The UFC does not have an event scheduled until January 18. Later in the motion, Green attached the bout agreement for the opportunity he had on January 11. That opportunity was a bout with Danasabe Mohammed under the Valor Bare Knuckle promotion. According to the agreement, Valor offered Green a $10,000 show fee and a $5,000 win bonus for the fight. He would also receive a $50 per diem for three days. In a later filing, Green corrected the location of the event, stating that it was to take place in Kissimmee, Florida.
The court scheduled a hearing with Green for December 20 on the above. Green’s request to modify his pretrial release was denied on that day.
Green’s request for travel became moot on December 28, when Valor announced it had cancelled the event.
It is unfortunate and unforeseen that we are writing today to you – our fans – in regards to postponing the VBK2 event, which was due to be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida.
Read more at https://t.co/Azui7bUsTF pic.twitter.com/qCIBkqsSFI
— Valor Bare Knuckle (@ValorBK) December 28, 2019
Green is listed on the UFC’s website as a lightweight competitor. Which would seem to indicate that he is still an active member of the UFC roster.
Bloody Elbow reached out to the UFC to inquire about Green’s contract status and if the promotion had approved him to fight on the Valor card. Valor’s PR firm was also asked if the UFC had approved Green to fight on the card and if the promotion had any qualms booking Green while he was awaiting trial. Neither the UFC nor the PR firm responded prior to publication.