Anthony Johnson arrested for alleged domestic violence incident

MMAfighting.com

Retired MMA fighter Anthony Johnson is in trouble again.

The 35-year-old Johnson, who is best known for his 19-fight run with the UFC, was arrested on Monday by the Boca Raton Police Department in relation to an alleged domestic violence incident that occurred in Boca Raton, Florida, over the weekend. MMA Fighting confirmed the arrest via public records following an initial report by TMZ.

Johnson reportedly became physical with his girlfriend following an argument, though police noted in their report that the alleged victim did not have any visible injuries. Per a criminal probable cause affidavit acquired by Bloody Elbow, Johnson is being charged with one count of battery/domestic battery.

The affidavit describes the incident as occurring after Johnson went to his girlfriend’s apartment to “discuss an issue.” After the alleged victim started to pack Johnson’s belongings, he “picked her up in ‘a football hold’ and carried her into another room. She stated that she was “scared due to his size and martial arts experience.”

The woman then asked Johnson for her phone, which she used to call 911.

According to Johnson’s account in the affidavit, he corroborated the account that they were having a discussion that escalated into an argument, though he claimed that it was his girlfriend who continued to argue with him as he began to pack his own belongings. “Johnson asked her several times to leave him alone and stop talking to him,” the affidavit reads. Johnson admitted to picking up his girlfriend and taking her to another room, but claims it was to move her away and that “he was not trying to hurt her but he wanted her to stop arguing with him.”

The affidavit concludes that Johnson “actually and intentionally touched [the alleged victim] against her will, which is in violation of P. S. S. 784.03(1) Battery/Domestic Battery,” and mentions that Johnson was transported to Palm Beach County Jail. He has been released under the condition that he show up for a to-be-determined court date.

This is not the first time that Johnson has been arrested for domestic violence. Back in July 2009, Johnson faced misdemeanor charges for an alleged altercation with an ex-girlfriend on June 27 of that year. He would later plead “nolo contendere” and was sentenced to three years probation for that incident.

In 2012, Johnson allegedly struck a woman and knocked two of her teeth out, though the woman declined to press charges. Upon discovery of this incident in April 2014, the UFC suspendedJohnson indefinitely. The civil case would later be dismissed and Johnson was reinstated in November 2014.

Johnson retired from MMA competition in April 2017 following a light heavyweight title fight loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 210. He is currently working in fighter relations with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship promotion.