Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt’s photo was recently used by a Welsh man to “catfish” women on Tinder into giving him money for his gambling addition, according to a recent report by BBC (h/t MMA Junkie).
Paul Davies, a 30-year-old supermarket worker, used an image of Garbrandt as his Tinder profile pic to attract the interest of unsuspecting women. Davies used the alias, Aaron Edwards, and proclaimed he was a 28-year-old businessman who worked for Audi and lived in a luxurious penthouse apartment.
Per BBC, Swansea Crown Court learned that once Davies gained the confidence of the women he was talking with he would inquire about financial assistance for his gambling problems. In total, the Welshman extracted more than $20,000 USD from eight women during his Tinder “catfish” scam.
One victim in particular, gifted Davies more than $10,000 USD during their Tinder interactions. It wasn’t until a friend’s nephew pointed out that Davies was using Garbrandt’s photo for his profile pic that the woman realized she was being taken advantage of.
Davies was found guilty on eight counts of fraud by false representation during a court hearing on Friday and sentenced to 34 months in jail. The supermarket worker will serve a minimum of 17 months.
Garbrandt had the following to say about the incident when it was brought to his attention by fellow MMA fighter Seth Baczynski:
This shit is wild!! And I would use yours! You stud muffin! https://t.co/UYIhIJ0vAs
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) July 27, 2019
“This shit is wild,” wrote Garbrandt via Twitter. “And I would use yours! You stud muffin!”
Garbrandt, 28, is coming off three-straight knockout defeats to the likes of T.J. Dillashaw and Pedro Munhoz. The former bantamweight king hasn’t won since dismantling Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 nearly three years ago to claim the 135-pound title.