Reports: UFC's Thiago Silva arrested after standoff, charged with attempted murder
Thiago Silva reportedly was arrested after a standoff at his Florida home. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa/Getty Images)
UFC light heavyweight Thiago Silva was arrested Thursday night after a police standoff at his Broward County, Fla., home, according to reports.
Silva's name appeared in arrest records on the Broward County Sheriff's website early Friday morning. The 31-year-old is listed with multiple charges, including two counts of attempted felony murder, one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of resisting officer without violence to his or her person.
Zuffa, the company that owns the UFC, released the following 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."
According to reports, the incident started when an armed suspect entered a jiu-jitsu school, Pablo Popovitch Mixed Martial Arts Academy, and allegedly began threatening people.
No one was injured, and the suspect left. The armed assailant reportedly went to his home and barricaded himself inside. The house, later identified as being owned by Silva, was surrounded by SWAT team members securing the area and attempting to negotiate his surrender. Authorities later confirmed that the suspect was in custody.
The events were the product of a domestic dispute between Silva and his wife, Thaysa.
Silva and his wife have been married for 13 years but separated in Dec. 2012, according to a police report obtained by MMAFighting.com. On Jan. 30, police were called to the couple's home (where Thaysa lived) and found her "visibly shaking and sobbing uncontrollably."
"Thaysa alleged that Thiago and her engaged in an argument over accusations of extramarital affairs, during which, Thiago picked up a revolver, pushed her onto the sofa, pointed the firearm at her and threatened to kill her," writes Shaun Al-Shatti of MMAFighter.com.
"Thaysa alleges to have begun to scream, after which Thiago covered her mouth with his hand, held her down, and placed the revolver inside her mouth. Thiago then left the residence, fleeing the scene in his vehicle.
"Thaysa informed officers that she feared for her life and believed Thiago intended to kill her. Later that day, Thaysa filed for a temporary injunction for protection.
Silva is scheduled to face Ovince St-Preux at UFC 171 in Dallas in March.