Thursday night a thread surfaced on the Underground stating that UFC fighter Thiago Silva had been involved in an armed stand off with the police.
Soon news reports from Florida confirming the grim news began to surface:
A Broward Sheriff’s SWAT team surrounded an Oakland Park home where a armed man barricaded himself after allegedly threatening people at a jiu-jitsu studio Thursday night, officials said.
The man walked into the martial arts school at 777 E. Oakland Park Blvd. around 7:45 p.m., made unspecified threats and left. No one at the school was injured, investigators said.
He then went to his townhome at 2041 Coral Heights Blvd. and locked himself inside. The SWAT team was called out and a perimeter was set up.
“Based on what I heard, a gentleman was at the Brazilian jiu-jitsu place right around the corner and caused a scene there, barricaded himself into these condos back here and this started about 8 p.m,” she said.
The incident began at an American Top Team school owned by Pablo Popovitch. The address given for the home the man fled to matches up to that of Thiago Silva. It has not been established with certainty why Silva went to Popovitch’s school.
While in handcuffs, Silva was asked by a channel 6 reporter why he pulled a firearm on his wife.
Reporter: Did you pull a gun on your wife?
Silva: No.
Reporter: Why did you go there?
Silva: She want my money.
Reporter: It was your money? What happened? Tell me.
Silva: She want my money. She want my house. She want my money.
Silva also flipped off the news camera repeatedly.
Silva remains in custody; charges include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest without violence, among others.
Silva is an active member of the UFC roster and was scheduled to next fight at UFC 171 in Dallas, Texas versus Ovince St. Preux.
ZUFFA issued a terse official statement:
“This evening, we were made aware of a situation involving Thiago Silva. We are in the process of gathering the facts and have no further comment at this time.”
Silva’s contract with the company was already tenuous, following repeated instances of missing weight and testing positive for banned substances. It is certain that he will be released from his contract over this.
Information on the arrest is made available to the public:
SILVA, THIAGO
INMATE INFORMATION
Arrest Number: 501400892 Arrest Date: 02/06/2014
Race: W Sex: M DOB: 11/12/1982
Height: 602 Weight: 220 Hair: BRO Eyes: BRO
Arresting Agency: BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE
* Location: Main Jail
* Visitation: 3 View Schedule
* Expected Release Date:
CHARGE(S) INFORMATION
Charge Number: 1
Statute: 782.051-1
Description: COMMIT/ATTMPT SPECIFD FEL COULD CAUSE DEATH
Charge Status: PENDING TRIAL
Bond Amount: 0.00
Charge Number: 2
Statute: 782.051-1
Description: COMMIT/ATTMPT SPECIFD FEL COULD CAUSE DEATH
Charge Status: PENDING TRIAL
Bond Amount: 0.00
Charge Number: 3
Statute: 784.045-1a2
Description: AGGRAVATED BATTERY WITH DEADLY WEAPON
Charge Status: PENDING TRIAL
Bond Amount: 10,000.00
Charge Number: 4
Statute: 843.02
Description: RESIST OFFICER-OBSTRUCT WITHOUT VIOLENCE
Charge Status: PENDING TRIAL
Bond Amount: 100.00
