Video footage has now emerged of now-former UFC light heavyweight Thiago Silva being taken into custody in Broward County, Fla., after getting arrested on a slew of violent criminal charges.
Various media outlets, including Linda Trischitta and Erika Pesantes of the Sun-Sentinel, reported that on Thursday evening, Silva traveled to the Pablo Popovitch Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and threatened to shoot up the school if Popovitch didn’t come outside.
Popovitch is allegedly dating Silva’s estranged wife, Thaysa, who is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the world-renowned grappler.
A news report from (local Florida news station) Channel 7’s “Today in Florida” program shows Silva being taken into police custody at the Broward County Jail after a long standoff with a local S.W.A.T. team at his home.
Reporter Sheldon Fox notes that Silva was given a brief medical examination before having his tattoos inspected and being processed at the station.
In wake of the charges, which are two counts of aggravated assault with a weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of resisting an officer without violence, the UFC cut Silva almost immediately.
TMZ was the first media outlet to break that aspect of this ongoing story, with UFC President Dana White telling them: “This guy will never fight in the UFC again.”
Silva boasts a 16-3(2) record overall and was entering his UFC 171 matchup against Ovince St. Preux riding a two-fight win streak over the likes of Rafael Cavalcante and Matt Hamill.
Needless to say, OSP needed a new opponent in light of Silva’s legal issues and the UFC was able to quickly find a game replacement in Nikita Krylov for the March 15 event, per Tristen Critchfield of Sherdog.
The bout marks Krylov’s debut as a light heavyweight.
According to Matt Erickson of MMA Junkie, Silva remains in jail with no bond as of Friday afternoon.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for the latest updates on Thiago Silva’s legal troubles.
John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
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