With a Monday court ruling settling a case stemming from an alleged bar fight, Chad Mendes expects his days in the police blotter to be over.
The UFC featherweight, who uncharacteristically found himself in hot water after police in Hanford, California accused him of punching a bar patron before running from police, has been cleared of the most serious offense after a Kings County district attorney formally dropped the battery charge against him.
The fighter’s manager, Jeff Meyer, who is also a practicing attorney, announced the decision in a press release.
“I have said from the beginning that the ridiculous allegations published by the media were either false or incredibly sensationalized,” Mendes said in the release. “Today’s outcome proves it.”
The incident took place on July 29 at the Lacey Inn Bar. Police alleged that the 27-year-old sucker-punched a patron and then evaded police, but was recognized and identified by other patrons.
Mendes faced up to six months in county jail and a $2,000 fine.
According to Meyer’s release, Mendes did plead no contest to one count of public disturbance and paid a fine before leaving the courthouse. He was represented by Jacob Flesher of Flesher Broomand McKague LLP.
Professionally, the world-ranked featherweight is looking to build on his first-round knockout of Cody McKenzie. He was recently booked in a UFC on FX 6 match with Hacran Dias that will take place in December. His record currently stands at 12-1.