BREAKING: Former UFC fighter arrested after assaulting police officers responding to 911 call
Former UFC fighter Anthony Rocco has been arrested after allegedly becoming aggressive and assaulting police officers on December 21, 2022.
In a story first reported by MMAFighting, the former UFC fighter was drunk when two officers arrived at his house in Bonita Springs, Florida after a call to 911 was dropped mid-conversation.
According to the officers on scene, Rocco immediately appeared aggressive and locked stern eye-contact with both officers before allegedly squaring up to them. According to reports, the 33-year-old shouted multiple explicits at them whilst trying to prevent them from stepping onto his property. 'Tony Martin' allegedly yelled:
“Get off my f***king property now!...I don’t care, and if you touch me will kick your ass.” He also yelled, “I hate cops and you can suck my d***."
Fearing for their safety, one of the officers handcuffed the former UFC fighter who once again lashed out:
“You think you’re a bad man, if you take me out of these cuffs l will kick your ass.“
After the 33-year-old was subdued, the officers reportedly found a woman crying in a car who was just hoping that she could leave the situation. Anthony Rocco later posted a $5,000 bond and was given a no-contact order. The welterweight fighter is due to appear in court in February where he will plead not guilty.
UFC President Dana White faces media after slap incident
Dana White appeared in front of the UFC media for the first time this week after the New Year's Eve incident involving his wife.
The UFC president was caught on camera drinking and arguing with his wife Anne on NYE before she then slapped the 53-year-old. White responded by slapping her back.
Dana White immediately apologized for the incident to TMZ just days later but has now faced the media for the first time since. During the press conference, which was for UFC Vegas 67, White understandly addressed the situation and gave his thoughts on his outlook going forward:
"What should the repercussions be? I take 30 days off? How does that hurt me? I told you guys, as we were going through [COVID-19 pandemic], COVID could last 10 years, and I could sit it out. It's much like COVID, actually. Me leaving hurts the company. Hurts my employees. Hurts the fighters. Doesn't hurt me."
White added:
"Here's my punishment... I have to walk around for however long I live, and this is how I'm labeled now. My other punishment is that I'm sure a lot of people, whether it be the media, fighters, friends, acquaintances, who had respect for me might not have respect for me now. There's a lot of things I have to deal with the rest of my life that's way more of a punishment than, what, I take a 30-day or 60-day absence?"
Catch a clip from the presser here:
Dana White says the only punishment that will come from slapping his wife will be in the public eye.
"This is how I'm labeled now."
Full interview: bit.ly/3kbJTSZ https://t.co/F2svIyEHAu