UFC welterweight Alex Oliveira has been accused of assaulting his ex-wife and absconding with their child.
[CW: This article details an alleged domestic assault]
UFC welterweight Alex Oliveira, 31, is expected to turn himself into police in Rio de Janeiro today regarding an alleged assault that occurred on Saturday morning (per O Globo).
MMA Junkie’s Fernanda Prates reports that Oliveira’s ex-wife has claimed that Oliveira appeared to be intoxicated when he arrived on a motorcycle to meet with her and their 5-month old child.
O Globo quotes a police report which states that Oliveira’s ex-wife took away his motocycle keys and locked herself in a room. The report includes an accusation that Oliveira then broke into the room and punched his ex-wife and pulled her hair. He is accused of then taking the keys and driving away with the child.
Prates spoke with Andre Lourenco — precinct chief for the area of Tres Rios, Rio de Janeiro, where the alleged incident occurred — about what is alleged to have happened next.
“The child was delivered to the mother and we started our diligence in attempts to find him,” stated Lourenco. After the child was recovered police tried to find Oliveira by calling his coach and family members. Eventually they were contacted by Oliveira’s lawyers who informed them that Oliveira would present himself for questioning on Monday.
Oliveira’s manager Alex Davis released a public statement on Twitter regarding the incident, which confirmed that Oliveira would cooperate with authorities. That statement is presented below:
The story being circulated on the incident involving UFC athlete Alex Oliveira does not reflect the reality of the facts. It is false that there is an arrest warrant issued for him.He will go with his lawyer to meet with the xerife in charge and clarify.
According to Globo’s report Oliveira is facing the potential of a four-year prison sentence if he is found guilty of assaulting his ex-wife and endangering their child.
Oliveira, nicknamed ‘Cowboy’, began his professional MMA career in 2011. In 2015 he signed with the UFC to fight Gilbert Burns at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare. Since then he has fought for the promotion on 14 more occasions. During his UFC tenure Oliveira has attained a record 9-5 (1 NC) against opponents that include Gunnar Nelson, Carlos Condit, Tim Means, and Donald Cerrone. His most recent UFC bout was a decision loss to Mike Perry at UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Hermansson on April 27th.
Bloody Elbow has requested a comment from the UFC regarding the accusations against Oliveira.