Former UFC welterweight and one-time MMA commentator Frank Trigg has been arrested on charges of battery domestic violence with strangulation. Prommanow.com was the first to report the news.
Trigg was being detained at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on a bond of $15,000. However, he has been released with the payment of the bond, MMA Fighting has learned. His court arraignment is scheduled for Friday, August 10th. Trigg’s particular charge carries a potential jail sentence 1 to 5 years in Nevada state prison, and a mandatory fine of $15,000.
It is not known what information or actions prompted yesterday’s arrest. Attempts to reach Trigg and his management were not immediately returned.
An unconfirmed report on the website TheDirty.com in April of this year appeared alleging Trigg assaulted his wife in October of 2011. Through his representatives, Trigg denied the claim at the time.
“First and foremost, we would like to make it very clear that the reports are completely false,” the statement read. “Although Frank would like to personally address every detail of what has been said, a court order prevents both Frank (and his ex-wife) from talking about their pending divorce in this light. Despite what appears to be an obvious breach by his ex-wife, Frank will continue to abide by the order instituted. More importantly, Frank has three young children whose interests are paramount to any form of this he-said she-said trial by public opinion. He asks that the public please respect his privacy and that of his children as they transition into their lives post-divorce. Frank would also like to thank his fans, friends and family for their support during this extremely difficult time.”
MMA Fighting has learned.
Trigg also appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani to discuss the matter, but stated there was an existing court order preventing he and his estranged wife from explaining details. He did, however, continue to assert his innocence of any wrongdoing.
“I’ve never been arrested, I’ve never been picked up, I’ve never been convicted of anything ever in my life other than a speeding ticket,” he said. “That’s the only thing I’ve ever been convicted of. That’s it. So I don’t know where this other stuff is coming from. I have no idea what’s going on, but I’ve never been charged with any crime ever in my life, ever, other than speeding and maybe a couple illegal parkings. “
Trigg has also worked as a television MMA commentator, most recently with HDNet (now AxsTV). Trigg told Helwani in April the alleged incident with his wife cost him his job with the network. As HDNet neared an agreement with Seacrest Media, AEG and Creative Artists Agency to rebrand the channel, concerns arose about Trigg’s alleged incident could affect the company.
“They were very nervous because of the affiliation that someone with a vendetta could make public statements about me that were untrue and inflammatory,” he said. “There’s nothing I could do about it, because once it’s on the internet, it’s on the internet. They couldn’t take the chance with a loose cannon being out there, and that’s exactly what happened. That’s 100 percent what happened. You can’t fault HDNet for trying to save their company and trying to expand their network and what they’re trying to do with their network by letting me go. They were scared of what was going to happen, and it happened.”
Trigg, 40, has a 21-9 professional MMA record. He fought seven times in the UFC, amassing a 2-5 record. He fought twice for the UFC welterweight title against Matt Hughes, losing both times by rear naked choke submission. Trigg most recently fought at BAMMA 7 in September of 2011 where he dropped a split decision to Jim Wallhead.