Police report details Diego Brandao’s alleged strip club incident, arrest

New details have come to light in UFC featherweight Diego Brandao’s arrest following an alleged strip club assault.

Early this past Thursday morning, Brandao allegedly fought three employees at the downtown Albuquerque club Knockouts before returning to brandish a gun, according to an arrest warrant obtained today by MMAjunkie.

Brandao was arrested this past Friday on four felony charges, including three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office has 10 days to decide whether or not to pursue the case.

Multiple attempts to reach Brandao were unsuccessful. In a statement, the UFC expressed concern about the allegations but refrained from additional comment until the legal process played out.

On Thursday afternoon, an arrest warrant, viewable here, went out for Brandao’s arrest. It was signed by Charles W. Brown, the same Albuquerque judge that accepted a plea deal from Jon Jones that allowed the former UFC light heavyweight champ to avoid jail time.

Brandao was released from the Metropolitan Detention Center on Saturday after posting a $15,000 bond.

According to the warrant, a doorman from Knockouts, Anthony Romero, told police Brandao had been arguing with the club’s DJ and appeared to be intoxicated. He left the bar and attempted to return, but was denied because of his intoxication.

It was then that Brandao allegedly tried to punch his way back into the bar and wound up fighting four employees – including the DJ – before Romero pushed him out and then locked the door into the club.

Another bouncer, Lavon King, identified Brandao as “the UFC guy” that had previously visited the club several times and confirmed his identity when a dancer showed him a picture on her phone. The bouncer was outside Knockouts with another bouncer, Patrick Otero, and he saw Brandao drive his car off the parking lot and move it to a nearby street corner.

Then, Brandao allegedly exited the car carrying a gun and pointed it at the group.

“(Brandao) pointed the gun at (King’s) chest and yelled at the group,” read a statement from the arrest warrant. “Lavon stated that Diego then pointed the gun at Patrick’s face and then struck him in the face with the firearm.”

“Lavon stated that (Brandao) pointed the gun at the three of them again and then went back to the vehicle. Lavon did state that he was in fear of losing his life during the altercation.”

Romero told police as soon as he heard Brandao allegedly had a firearm, he escorted other bar patrons inside to take shelter.

“Patrick stated he tried to calm Diego down and reason with him, but Diego turned the firearm to him and pointed it at his head,” read the warrant. “Patrick stated he put his hands up and noticed the other two subjects run behind Patrick’s car for cover.

“Patrick stated that Diego asked him why he didn’t help him and hit him with the butt of the firearm on his chin. Patrick stated Diego then walked back to his vehicle, and pointed the firearm at the three of them one more time prior to leaving the area.”

Brandao had left the scene before police showed up. Otero sent the police a picture of a small abrasion on his chin that occurred during the incident.

Brandao (20-11 MMA, 6-4 UFC) most recently appeared in the UFC’s octagon in January at UFC 195, where he availed himself well against Brian Ortega before falling prey to a triangle choke in the third round. The UFC’s anti-doping partner, USADA, later found he tested positive for marijuana metabolites and he was temporarily suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the event.

On Tuesday, Brandao will get a formal hearing before the NSAC during a meeting in Las Vegas.

Brandao’s loss snapped a two-fight win streak that followed a high-profile fight against Conor McGregor in the now-featherweight champ’s hometown of Dublin.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.