Renzo Gracie got into an altercation outside of Manhattan’s 1 OAK nightclub early Monday morning, and was arrested by the police. The trendy West 17th Street club is frequented by celebs including Jay Z, Beyoncé, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz.
Also arrested were cousins Igor and Gregor Gracie, Rafael Barbosa and three others. Renzo was released on $10,000 bond, after being charged with misdemeanor assault with intent to cause physical injury. Renzo is due in court on Friday to answer the charged.
Under instructions from his attorney, Renzo was not allowed to discuss what happened, but did send Ariel Helwani a text.
“Everything is a misunderstanding,” Renzo wrote. “We always had a great relationship with that amazing club and all their employees.
“Soon everything will be clear.”
Bouncer Craig Molesphini, 35, reportedly suffered bruises and an arm injury
I’m OK, said Molesphini on Monday. I have a slightly fractured elbow.’’
Molesphini later provided further details to PageSix.com.
In my entire 14-year career, I have never seen anything like this,” said the bouncer. “At 1:30 a.m. a gray van pulled up, parked in the middle of the street, seven men exited the vehicle and started creating mayhem, screaming, pointing, starting to pick fights with the security guards. One man, I later learned was Renzo, came in my direction, threw the velvet rope on the floor, ran straight into my chest and knocked me back onto the concrete floor onto my elbow. He was on top of me for 20 seconds, trying to punch me, but I wrapped both my arms around his neck so he couldn’t hit me, before somebody pulled him off.
All of the seven men were fighting, doing MMA moves on the guards, some of whom were injured. When the police arrived, they tried to get away, but the cops parked in front of their van, which was waiting with a driver.”
Molesphini said the attack was retribution for me not allowing two of their masters into the venue last week. This was a carefully planned and coordinated attack. The police arrested all seven of them.
Molesphini’s attorney Salvatore Strazzullo said they may file a civil assault claim. A personal injury civil lawsuit would of course seek financial penalties.
Famed trainer and fighter Chatri Sityodtong ably summed up the feelings of everyone who knows Renzo, via Facebook.
“I have no idea what happened last night, but I do know that the media always has a way of sensationalizing things,” said Chatri. “I have been blessed to count Renzo as a good friend in life. He’s one of the nicest human beings on the planet. And I do not use those words lightly. He has a heart of gold. Truly. His way of life is always to help everyone around him, including me. If the bouncer got his ass whooped, it was probably for good reason. Renzo does not start fights. He finishes them.”
So let’s give Renzo the last word right now.
Renzo_Gracie_BJJ @RenzoGracieBJJ
don’t judge before you know 😉
