UFC's Reza Madadi sentenced to 18 months for role in handbag heist

UFC lightweight Reza Madadi today was sentenced to 18 months in jail due to aggravated burglary.

Madadi was convicted due to a May 24 incident in which the 35-year-old Iranian-Swedish fighter allegedly helped lift merchandise from a designer handbag store in Stockholm, according to MMAnytt.se.

Madadi and his accomplices must also pay hefty six-figure fines. Madadi denies the charges against him and has until Sept. 6 to file an appeal.

He’s been jailed since the initial arrest.

Surveillance-video footage from they May 24 incident shows three masked men arriving in a black Audi and breaking into the store with a sledgehammer in the early-morning hours. It reportedly took them several minutes to gain access, after which they took the most expensive items and got in a getaway car. Police gave chase and then apprehended the suspects.

Police said they tracked down the car, and broken glass on Madadi matched the type of glass that was broken in the robbery.

Upon his initial arrest, a UFC official told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the promotion was aware of the situation but was awaiting further information before commenting.

Madadi (13-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) , a seven-year pro, went 11-2 throughout Europe before signing with the UFC. He submitted Yoislandy Izquierdo in his April 2012 promotional debut, and after a split-decision defeat to Cristiano Marcello, he rebounded earlier this year by submitting Michael Johnson with a come-from-behind win. It netted him a $60,000 “Submission of the Night” award.