Details Arise Surrounding Thiago Silva’s Arrest: Fighter Was ‘Very Intoxicated,’ Had A Pattern Of Domestic Violence

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More details surrounding the veritable windfall of news centered on former UFC light heavyweight Thiago Silva’s arrest stemming from his alleged threatening of estranged wife Thaysa and her current boyfriend Pablo Popovitch at an Oakland Park, Fla., Brazilian Jiu-jitsu academy last night.

While Silva was originally booked for two attempted murder charges after a four hour standoff at his Broward County, Fla., home, those charges were eventually reduced to aggravated assault with a firearm.

However, that doesn’t mean Silva is getting off easy, as Judge John Hurley held Silva without bond, citing the fighter’s size and demeanor as a reason to keep him under lock and key:

“You’re an MMA fighter, and your size gives great concern, with or without a weapon, you could easily kill your wife. If you’re released from custody, the court is concerned you would approach your wife again and concerned you would bring great harm to her or kill her.” – via MMA Junkie

Silva was also deemed a flight risk to return to his home country of Brazil, another reason that he was not granted bail.

The UFC was quick to respond and didn’t mince words, cutting Silva promptly as company president Dana White stated he would never fight in the Octagon again.

Silva’s name, which was already controversial thanks to his transgressions outside of the cage, is now at the center of a heap of violent accusations. But Silva’s lawyer Scott Saul was quick to note that the fighter’s reputation and occupation could have played a big part in police over exaggerating the charges brought against his client:

“He never got out of his car. He never fired a gun,” Saul argued in front of Hurley. “You’ve got two real rock-solid aggravated assault charges. What I think this is, is you’ve got a professional fighter and an (assumption) thinking he can kill, an overreaction based on what the man does for a living.”

Overreaction or not, Silva awaits his fate in Broward County. The whole incident arose after Silva and his wife were reportedly experiencing marital problems, separating in late 2012. Things escalated when Thaysa called police to their home to settle a domestic dispute on January 30, an incident where Thiago allegedly brandished a revolver and held down Thaysa while threatening to kill her.

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The situation escalated to an all-new level last night, however, when an allegedly very intoxicated Silva appeared at Pablo Popovitch Mixed Martial Arts Academy. Once there, he reportedly began honking his horn and threatening both Thaysa and Popovitch. Thiago Silva had repeatedly accused Thaysa of having an affair with Popovitch, but all of the details are merely allegations at this point.

Silva was apparently intoxicated to the point where he “did not know what was going on.”

The details of this confusing and bizarre chain of events were chronicled in Broward County police reports (transcribed by MMA Mania):

“The above listed defendant, Thiago Silva and the victim Thaysa Silva have been married for thirteen years and have no children in common. Silva trains as a mixed martial arts fighter for the UFC and his wife also has martial arts experience. In December 2012, the defendant and the victim separated due to marital problems. During this time, the defendant was still living in their listed residence of 2041 Coral Heights Blvd, in the city of Oakland Park, Broward County, Florida.

On January 30, 2014, the victim called 911 due to the fact she and the defendant had a domestic altercation. Deputy Harold Storey 6290 responded and upon meeting the victim, she was visibly shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. She advised that the defendant and she were arguing over accusations of an extramarital affair. During the argument, the defendant picked up a silver colored revolver, pushed her to the sofa, pointed the firearm at her and told her he was going to kill her. When she began to scream, he covered her mouth with his free hand. He then placed the firearm in her mouth while still holding her down. While attempting to scream, the defendant then left the resident and fled in his vehicle. She stated to Deputy Story that she was in fear of her life.

She stated that at 853 pm, she arrived home and found the defendant in the residence. He confronted the defendant and told him to leave the residence because she had the injunction for protection against him. He then stated that he would leave and that she needs to leave. A short time, later, the defendant left the residence. She advised when he left he was upset but did not harm her. Moments later, the defendant sent the text message to the victim in Portuguese stating ‘I am gonna fuck you up and you are going to die. I am going to hire someone to kill you and I am going to move my girlfriend in.’ Detective Roger Frey 14803 arrived on scene and took a sworn statement from the victim in reference to the aforementioned facts.

On February 6, 2014, at approximately 7:44 pm, the victim was training at the Popovitch Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center located at 777 E. Oakland Park Blvd. She and victim #2 Pablo Popovitch were inside the center when she observed the defendant driving his vehicle, a 2012 Dodge Charger bearing FL TAG G7ARY. She could see the defendant pull up to the center because the entire storefront is clear glass. The defendant then started honking the vehicle horn continuously. She then went outside to speak with him to avoid a confrontation since victim Silva and victim Popovitch are in a romantic relationship. The defendant is aware of this relationship and this fact contributed to his actions. She approached the defendant which was driving, and when she was approached the driver side, he rolled down the window. She immediately noticed that he had been drinking and extremely intoxicated. He then produced a black Glock firearm and pointed it at the victim.

He stated, You have ten seconds to bring Pablo outside and if he does not come out, I will go in the gym and start shooting everyone. It should be known there was a class in session with approximately 25 students inside. Victim Popovitch then exited the center to protect victim Silva from harm. He then approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and observed the defendant pointing the firearm above the doorframe at the victim Silva. The defendant threatened to kill both victim Silva and victim Popovitch. Popovitch then ran back into the gym, locked the front door, and called 911. The defendant then drove away. Deputy J. Cabal 16875 arrived on scene and met with both victims.”

Obviously all these allegations are simply that at this current time, and Silva is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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But the fact remains that this is just another incident in a long list of personal problems that have literally ripped a once-promising UFC career away from Silva. When the story is said and done, it will most likely be clear that Silva was indeed his own worst enemy.

While it remains to be seen if he is convicted for the crimes he’s been accused of, we’ll never see him in the Octagon again, and it would be very surprising to see him fight for any other MMA promotion.

More on the disturbing situation as it arises.