MMA is one of the fastest-growing sports around the world. Today, the UFC is the most popular MMA promotion and many of its superstars have a lot of popularity and respect. However, there have been some MMA fighters whose careers have been tarnished because of their issues outside the octagon. These great fighters may have left their mark inside the Octagon, but they have left a tainted legacy outside it. This is the list of MMA fighters who have been arrested once.
10. Hermes Franca
Hermes Franca had a lot of potential in the sport, but unfortunately, it was completely wasted. Franca was charged with seven counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree unlawful sexual penetration in 2011. He turned himself in to the police after a warrant was issued for his arrest. In June 2013, Franca was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to those charges. In 2014, he was sent back to Brazil to complete the remaining months of his prison sentence before being released.
9. Jason Miller
Jason Miller began his professional MMA career in 2001 and fought in various promotions. Unfortunately, he had to face some troubles with the law for years, with his most notable offense occurring on August 30, 2023. Miller was charged with allegedly strangling a fan in Los Angeles. A fan came up to him to say hello, which angered Miller and led to a verbal altercation between the two men. Things got worse as Miller attacked and choked the fan. Then the security intervened and Miller was briefly detained before being released on bond. Before this case, Miller had also been arrested numerous times for charges like domestic battery, trespassing and burglary.
8. Jeremy Jackson
Jeremy Jackson had a short MMA career, but a good one. He began his professional MMA career in 2001 and fought in various promotions. Jackson was arrested on June 30, 2008, for serious crimes, including two counts of forcible rape of his ex-girlfriend and attempted theft. In 2010, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Jackson went against his lawyer’s advice by pleading guilty to avoid sending the case to trial.
7. Renato Sobral
Renato Sobral was a great fighter who amassed an amazing record of 37 wins and 12 losses. He was a submission specialist and scored 15 of his 37 wins through submissions. Sobral was arrested in 2007 for trespassing and battery following an incident involving a club bouncer at a Hard Rock Hotel in Tampa, FL. Later, he was released on a $1000 bond.
6. Jonathan Koppenhaver
Jonathan Koppenhaver had a good MMA career with 19 wins and five losses. He could have become a big name in the MMA world but got involved in crime instead. In 2014, the “War Machine” was charged with sexually assaulting and beating his ex-girlfriend and porn star, Christy Mack, at her home in Las Vegas. He was found guilty of 29 felony and misdemeanor charges related to the attack on Christy Mack. As of 2014, he had been sentenced to 36 years in prison.
5. Jorge Masvidal
Jorge Masvidal got into a major feud with Colby Covington, his former friend and training partner. Masvidal was accused of attacking Covington outside a steakhouse in Miami, striking “Chaos” twice in the face. This incident occurred just weeks after a heated trash talk. Colby lost a tooth because of the attack and he claimed he also suffered a brain injury because of the blow inflicted by Masvidal. The case was settled in November 2023, as Jorge pleaded no contest to the crime.
4. Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen has been an amazing MMA fighter, but he has also been involved in many legal issues. He was charged with six misdemeanor battery charges, two of which were dropped and others were dismissed in December 2021. In 2023, Sonnen took a plea deal, resulting in a no-contest. He was charged with no jail time and fined $750. A lawsuit was filed by the couple involved, alleging assault, which is still going on.
3. Conor McGregor
UFC Superstar Conor McGregor is one of the most popular MMA fighters. However, he has also faced several criminal charges. In 2028, the Irishman was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief during a UFC press conference for throwing two guard rails at a bus carrying fellow UFC fighters, injuring two fighters. In 2019, he was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a Dublin hotel during a visit in December 2018.
2. Cain Velasquez
Cain Velasquez has had a great MMA career, but he was arrested with attempted murder and ten gun-related charges. When Velasquez was in California, he allegedly chased a man with his car and shot at him. The man being chased was Harry Goularte, whom Cain believed had molested his four-year-old son. “Cardio Cain” was granted $1 million bail in November 2022.
1. Jon Jones
Jon Jones is one of the best MMA fighters the UFC has ever had, but he has also been involved in a lot of legal issues. He was charged in a hit-and-run case in 2015 in which his car collided with another car that was being driven by a pregnant woman. Gratefully, the woman and the baby suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Jones’ most recent arrest came just hours after his 2021 induction into the UFC Hall of Fame on charges of domestic violence and vehicle tampering involving his fiance, Jesse Moses. Jones accepted a plea deal for this case to stay out of prison as domestic violence charges were dismissed.
Also Read: List Of UFC Fighters Who Were Suspended For Marijuana Use
