Former UFC/TUF fighter charged with assaulting high schooler

A TUF Season 6 cast member is accused of committing a misdemeanor assault on a high school wrestler in Hawaii.

John Burnett of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that former UFC fighter, and cast member of season six of The Ultimate Fighter, Daniel Lee Berrera has been charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly attacking a female high school wrestler last Friday. According to that article, Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Shiigi shared a police report which alleged Barrera walked uninvited into a wrestling practice at Pahoa High School and then struck a student wrestler three times on the back of the head, using his palm. The student has since told police that she had never met Berrera prior to this alleged incident.

In 2007 Barrera appeared on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra. Barrera was drafted by Matt Hughes for his team, which included Mac Danzig, Tommy Speer, and Dorian Price. Barrera was eliminated from the show’s tournament in the first round after he lost a majority decision to current UFC fighter Ben Saunders. In the season finale Barrera fought and lost to Saunders again, this time by unanimous decision. According to Sherdog Barrera fought three more times in his career. His last recorded bout was on November 19th, 2010.

Barrera had his initial court hearing on Monday. During the hearing Deputy Public Defender Austin Hsu requested that a mental examination be performed on Barrera. Deputy Prosecutor Shiigi supported the request, stating that Barrera had two prior convictions for disorderly conduct and harassment and that the former fighter’s unruly behavior “appears to be escalating.”

According to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald Barrera then told Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas that he had been invited to the school to help with wrestling practice, stating, “I’m a very, very skilled grappler.” The judge granted the request to have Barrera mentally examined, set a court date for February 28th, and set Barrera’s bail at $2,000.

Reportedly, as Barrera was being led from the courtroom he turned to the gallery and said, “I’m sorry, Mom, they’re not releasing me. I was just helping the wrestling. These kids need to wake up. I wanted them to wake up because Hawaiians need to toughen up. OK? I was at wrestling practice.” After the judge interjected, Barrera continued to speak towards the gallery. “I don’t understand how this is assault,” said Barrera. “You play football? Anybody? Am I f***ing crazy here? There’s murderers on the street! My sister got murdered two weeks ago in Pahoa!”

Barrera was eventually removed from the court by force and placed in a cell. He is considered innocent of all charges until proven guilty.

A TUF Season 6 cast member is accused of committing a misdemeanor assault on a high school wrestler in Hawaii.

John Burnett of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that former UFC fighter, and cast member of season six of The Ultimate Fighter, Daniel Lee Berrera has been charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly attacking a female high school wrestler last Friday. According to that article, Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Shiigi shared a police report which alleged Barrera walked uninvited into a wrestling practice at Pahoa High School and then struck a student wrestler three times on the back of the head, using his palm. The student has since told police that she had never met Berrera prior to this alleged incident.

In 2007 Barrera appeared on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra. Barrera was drafted by Matt Hughes for his team, which included Mac Danzig, Tommy Speer, and Dorian Price. Barrera was eliminated from the show’s tournament in the first round after he lost a majority decision to current UFC fighter Ben Saunders. In the season finale Barrera fought and lost to Saunders again, this time by unanimous decision. According to Sherdog Barrera fought three more times in his career. His last recorded bout was on November 19th, 2010.

Barrera had his initial court hearing on Monday. During the hearing Deputy Public Defender Austin Hsu requested that a mental examination be performed on Barrera. Deputy Prosecutor Shiigi supported the request, stating that Barrera had two prior convictions for disorderly conduct and harassment and that the former fighter’s unruly behavior “appears to be escalating.”

According to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald Barrera then told Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas that he had been invited to the school to help with wrestling practice, stating, “I’m a very, very skilled grappler.” The judge granted the request to have Barrera mentally examined, set a court date for February 28th, and set Barrera’s bail at $2,000.

Reportedly, as Barrera was being led from the courtroom he turned to the gallery and said, “I’m sorry, Mom, they’re not releasing me. I was just helping the wrestling. These kids need to wake up. I wanted them to wake up because Hawaiians need to toughen up. OK? I was at wrestling practice.” After the judge interjected, Barrera continued to speak towards the gallery. “I don’t understand how this is assault,” said Barrera. “You play football? Anybody? Am I f***ing crazy here? There’s murderers on the street! My sister got murdered two weeks ago in Pahoa!”

Barrera was eventually removed from the court by force and placed in a cell. He is considered innocent of all charges until proven guilty.