5 UFC fighters infamous for running into legal trouble
As the peak of MMA, the UFC represents the epitome of combat sports. Thus, martial artists from all walks of life join the promotion to showcase the varied skill-set their respective backgrounds instilled in them.
As is typical with martial arts, many UFC fighters embody the spirit of self-control that's often held as a core value in most traditional martial arts circles.
Unfortunately, not every mixed martial artist is like Georges St-Pierre and Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson when it comes to their conduct. Some can't seem to keep themselves out of trouble, whether it's with the UFC's chosen drug-testing agency or the law itself.
Jorge Masvidal, for example, made recent waves for his post-UFC 272 assault on divisional Colby Covington.
While it was Masvidal's first major brush with the law since signing with the UFC, other fighters have had more frequent clashes with law enforcement. This list looks at 5 UFC fighters, past and present, who have acquired infamy for how often they find themselves in legal trouble.
#5. Anthony Johnson
Before signing with Bellator, Anthony Johnson was a UFC fighter better known for his fearsome knockout power. Johnson's second run in the UFC as a light heavyweight was thunderous. By the time of his first title fight with the then reigning light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, 'Rumble' was on a 9-fight win streak.
It was a celebrated run, with many touting Johnson for his high finishing rate and seemingly amicable disposition.
Ex-UFC star Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson faces domestic battery charge dlvr.it/R4Jk5j https://t.co/GAMQGfYtkv
Unfortunately, beneath the surface, Johnson was not as nice as he seemed, as evidenced by a glimpse at his legal history. The former title contender has had several domestic violence incidents to his name, with the first known incident being a conviction, while the subsequent ones were allegations.
As MMA media members began covering Johnson's darker side, 'Rumble' disparaged the journalists' decision to write about his troubling legal streak.
Alas, it would not be the final time that Johnson would clash with the law. Last year, 'Rumble' was arrested on charges of identity theft due to use of a stolen credit card to pay for a flight.