After nearly four-and-a-half years and 10 bouts, the UFC has released The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 14 winner Diego Brandao according to a report from Sherdog garnered from sources close to the situation. The move comes in the wake of some disturbing out-of-the-cage trouble for Brandao, as he was recently arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for allegedly
After nearly four-and-a-half years and 10 bouts, the UFC has released The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 14 winner Diego Brandao according to a report from Sherdog garnered from sources close to the situation.
The move comes in the wake of some disturbing out-of-the-cage trouble for Brandao, as he was recently arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for allegedly threatening and pistol-whipping patrons at a local strip club. Prior to that disappointing incident, Brandao also tested positive for marijuana metabolites in an in-competition test for his UFC 195 loss to Brian Ortega, which earned him a temporary ban while he awaited his full punishment from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC).
The promotion has not made an official announcement about the news, but if does indeed prove true, Brandao will leave the Octagon as one of the most failed realizations of talent in years. He absolutely steamrolled into the UFC by winning TUF 14 in 2011 as a member of Michael Bisping’s team, defeating current top featherweight Dennis Bermudez by submission in the Finale. He then parlayed the win into a highly-publicized feel-good story by buying his mother a house with the winnings.
But from then on, it was mixed results for Brandao, who lost his first official UFC bout aside from TUF to Darren Elkins. He then won three bouts in a row, but hit a big roadblock when he faced top-ranked competition like Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. Two wins over Jimy Hettes and Katsunori Kikuno earned him his shot at prospect Ortega in January, but he lost to a “T-City” triangle choke after winning most of the fight up until the final round.
He put on exciting fights in each every bout whether he won or lost, so the personal issues with drugs and violence most likely were the main cause of his release if that does prove to be the case. And that’s a shame, because Diego Brandao one had arguably the most promise in MMA.
(Nothing like starting a fight on camera to avoid looking bad.)
At the risk of inciting his well-documented wrath, we feel compelled to say that TUF 14 winner Diego Brandao might be a bit of a loose cannon. Aside from the short fuse he displayed while in the TUF house, the man has also threatened to stab Dustin Poirier with a pen and attacked a Carnaval reporter on camera in the recent past, which doesn’t exactly speak to the zen-like qualities that martial arts is supposed to inspire.
Brandao’s latest arrest, however, is like something out of a War Machine fan fiction novel.
(Nothing like starting a fight on camera to avoid looking bad.)
At the risk of inciting his well-documented wrath, we feel compelled to say that TUF 14 winner Diego Brandao might be a bit of a loose cannon. Aside from the short fuse he displayed while in the TUF house, the man has also threatened to stab Dustin Poirier with a pen and attacked a Carnaval reporter on camera in the recent past, which doesn’t exactly speak to the zen-like qualities that martial arts is supposed to inspire.
Brandao’s latest arrest, however, is like something out of a War Machine fan fiction novel.
Details after the jump.
Over the weekend, details started to leak that the TUF 14 winner had been arrested outside of a strip club in Albuquerque for allegedly striking an employee with a gun. According to MMAJunkie, Brandao was arrested on Friday, charged with aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault, then released on Saturday after posting the $15,000 bond.
Last night, however, the nasty details of the incident were laid out when Brandao’s public arrest warrant was released (again via MMAJunkie), so strap yourself in for this mess…
According to the warrant, a doorman from Knockouts, Anthony Romero, told police Brandao had been arguing with the club’s DJ and appeared to be intoxicated. He left the bar and attempted to return, but was denied because of his intoxication.
“Hey puta, the next song that comes on better be Scatman John or I’m going to lose my shit!”
It was then that Brandao allegedly tried to punch his way back into the bar and wound up fighting four employees – including the DJ – before Romero pushed him out and then locked the door into the club.
Another bouncer, Lavon King, identified Brandao as “the UFC guy” that had previously visited the club several times and confirmed his identity when a dancer showed him a picture on her phone. The bouncer was outside Knockouts with another bouncer, Patrick Otero, and he saw Brandao drive his car off the parking lot and move it to a nearby street corner.
Wait, the club is called Knockouts? I’m going to assume that this whole incident can be traced back to Brandao’s inability to understand double entendre, then.
Then, Brandao allegedly exited the car carrying a gun and pointed it at the group.
(Brandao) pointed the gun at (King’s) chest and yelled at the group. Lavon stated that Diego then pointed the gun at Patrick’s face and then struck him in the face with the firearm.
Lavon stated that (Brandao) pointed the gun at the three of them again and then went back to the vehicle. Lavon did state that he was in fear of losing his life during the altercation.
Romero told police as soon as he heard Brandao allegedly had a firearm, he escorted other bar patrons inside to take shelter.
Man, how long do you think it will be before MMA is re-banned in Albuquerque? “You’re not safe on the roads, you’re not safe in the strip clubs…what’s next, a turf war inside the Stop n’ Shop?!”
Patrick stated he tried to calm Diego down and reason with him, but Diego turned the firearm to him and pointed it at his head. Patrick stated he put his hands up and noticed the other two subjects run behind Patrick’s car for cover.
Patrick stated that Diego asked him why he didn’t help him and hit him with the butt of the firearm on his chin. Patrick stated Diego then walked back to his vehicle, and pointed the firearm at the three of them one more time prior to leaving the area.
The UFC has of course released their obligatory statement on Brandao’s arrest, which you can check out below.
“We are aware that UFC featherweight Diego Brandao was arrested Friday following an altercation at a business establishment in Albuquerque, N.M. We are in the process of gathering more information at this time. While we are concerned by the nature of the reported allegations, it is important to note that Brandao is entitled to due process in a court of law. We will have no further comment until more information can be gathered.”
(Nothing like starting a fight on camera to avoid looking bad.)
At the risk of inciting his well-documented wrath, we feel compelled to say that TUF 14 winner Diego Brandao might be a bit of a loose cannon. Aside from the short fuse he displayed while in the TUF house, the man has also threatened to stab Dustin Poirier with a pen and attacked a Carnaval reporter on camera in the recent past, which doesn’t exactly speak to the zen-like qualities that martial arts is supposed to inspire.
Brandao’s latest arrest, however, is like something out of a War Machine fan fiction novel.
(Nothing like starting a fight on camera to avoid looking bad.)
At the risk of inciting his well-documented wrath, we feel compelled to say that TUF 14 winner Diego Brandao might be a bit of a loose cannon. Aside from the short fuse he displayed while in the TUF house, the man has also threatened to stab Dustin Poirier with a pen and attacked a Carnaval reporter on camera in the recent past, which doesn’t exactly speak to the zen-like qualities that martial arts is supposed to inspire.
Brandao’s latest arrest, however, is like something out of a War Machine fan fiction novel.
Details after the jump.
Over the weekend, details started to leak that the TUF 14 winner had been arrested outside of a strip club in Albuquerque for allegedly striking an employee with a gun. According to MMAJunkie, Brandao was arrested on Friday, charged with aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault, then released on Saturday after posting the $15,000 bond.
Last night, however, the nasty details of the incident were laid out when Brandao’s public arrest warrant was released (again via MMAJunkie), so strap yourself in for this mess…
According to the warrant, a doorman from Knockouts, Anthony Romero, told police Brandao had been arguing with the club’s DJ and appeared to be intoxicated. He left the bar and attempted to return, but was denied because of his intoxication.
“Hey puta, the next song that comes on better be Scatman John or I’m going to lose my shit!”
It was then that Brandao allegedly tried to punch his way back into the bar and wound up fighting four employees – including the DJ – before Romero pushed him out and then locked the door into the club.
Another bouncer, Lavon King, identified Brandao as “the UFC guy” that had previously visited the club several times and confirmed his identity when a dancer showed him a picture on her phone. The bouncer was outside Knockouts with another bouncer, Patrick Otero, and he saw Brandao drive his car off the parking lot and move it to a nearby street corner.
Wait, the club is called Knockouts? I’m going to assume that this whole incident can be traced back to Brandao’s inability to understand double entendre, then.
Then, Brandao allegedly exited the car carrying a gun and pointed it at the group.
(Brandao) pointed the gun at (King’s) chest and yelled at the group. Lavon stated that Diego then pointed the gun at Patrick’s face and then struck him in the face with the firearm.
Lavon stated that (Brandao) pointed the gun at the three of them again and then went back to the vehicle. Lavon did state that he was in fear of losing his life during the altercation.
Romero told police as soon as he heard Brandao allegedly had a firearm, he escorted other bar patrons inside to take shelter.
Man, how long do you think it will be before MMA is re-banned in Albuquerque? “You’re not safe on the roads, you’re not safe in the strip clubs…what’s next, a turf war inside the Stop n’ Shop?!”
Patrick stated he tried to calm Diego down and reason with him, but Diego turned the firearm to him and pointed it at his head. Patrick stated he put his hands up and noticed the other two subjects run behind Patrick’s car for cover.
Patrick stated that Diego asked him why he didn’t help him and hit him with the butt of the firearm on his chin. Patrick stated Diego then walked back to his vehicle, and pointed the firearm at the three of them one more time prior to leaving the area.
The UFC has of course released their obligatory statement on Brandao’s arrest, which you can check out below.
“We are aware that UFC featherweight Diego Brandao was arrested Friday following an altercation at a business establishment in Albuquerque, N.M. We are in the process of gathering more information at this time. While we are concerned by the nature of the reported allegations, it is important to note that Brandao is entitled to due process in a court of law. We will have no further comment until more information can be gathered.”
Current UFC fighter Diego Brandao is in hot water after having an incident at a strip club in Albuquerque, New Mexico last Thursday. Brandao allegedly got into an argued with a DJ and attempted to punch employees before being denied reentry into the club. Brandao returned to the club and pointed a gun at a
Current UFC fighter Diego Brandao is in hot water after having an incident at a strip club in Albuquerque, New Mexico last Thursday.
Brandao allegedly got into an argued with a DJ and attempted to punch employees before being denied reentry into the club. Brandao returned to the club and pointed a gun at a patron and an employee before striking the employee in the face with the weapon.
Police were called to the scene, and Brandao was arrested and charged with aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault.
He was released from the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on Saturday night after posting $15,000 bail.
The UFC issued the following statement on the matter:
“We are aware that UFC featherweight Diego Brandao was arrested Friday following an altercation at a business establishment in Albuquerque, N.M. We are in the process of gathering more information at this time.
“While we are concerned by the nature of the reported allegations, it is important to note that Brandao is entitled to due process in a court of law.
“We will have no further comment until more information can be gathered.”
It was recently reported that former Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Brandao was arrested following an incident at a New Mexico strip club.
Brandao was charged with aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault in relation to a Thursday incident. He is accused of pointing a gun at a person in the bar and an employee before hitting said employee in the face with a weapon.
Brandao was released on bond from the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center – the same one that has held Jon Jones on a number of instances – Saturday night.
Below is the official press release from the UFC:
“We are aware that UFC featherweight Diego Brandao was arrested Friday following an altercation at a business establishment in Albuquerque, N.M. We are in the process of gathering more information at this time.
“While we are concerned by the nature of the reported allegations, it is important to note that Brandao is entitled to due process in a court of law.
“We will have no further comment until more information can be gathered.”
It was recently reported that former Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Brandao was arrested following an incident at a New Mexico strip club.
Brandao was charged with aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault in relation to a Thursday incident. He is accused of pointing a gun at a person in the bar and an employee before hitting said employee in the face with a weapon.
Brandao was released on bond from the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center – the same one that has held Jon Jones on a number of instances – Saturday night.
Below is the official press release from the UFC:
“We are aware that UFC featherweight Diego Brandao was arrested Friday following an altercation at a business establishment in Albuquerque, N.M. We are in the process of gathering more information at this time.
“While we are concerned by the nature of the reported allegations, it is important to note that Brandao is entitled to due process in a court of law.
“We will have no further comment until more information can be gathered.”
