It appears that the ‘illegal cage fighting’ charges leveled against UFC lightweight Din Thomas last month were much ado about nothing.
Here’s a snip from the Palm Beach Post:
“… the state attorney’s office decided not to file formal charges against Thomas largely because of an exception to the ‘prohibited competitions’ law that allows such competitions for training. He said if the fighter or participants in the match were students at Thomas’ school, and the purpose of the school is to teach martial arts, then they meet the exception to the law.”
From the outset Thomas maintained his innocence, claiming that the so-called “fight club” were just sparring sessions to get his American Top Team students in Port St. Lucie, Fla., experience competing in front of a live crowd.
It certainly didn’t help that there was no medical team present during these sessions and attendees were charged a fee to take in the action (all proceeds went toward a raffle). Regardless, the truth surrounding the situation has emerged and Thomas will be around to fight another day … literally.
“Dinyero” was facing a maximum five-year bit in prison if he was found guilty of the third-degree felony offense.
Now the former contestant on season four of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) can focus on rehabbing the knee he injured during a loss to Kenny Florian at UFC Fight Night 11 in September and returning to competition sometime in the first few months of 2008.
What a difference … and a relief.
13 Comments »
F’in police doin nothing but creating problems… again
c’mon its din thomas who freakin cares about this bum!
…meanwhile, another rape/murder case goes unsolved. I hate effing cops.
He should have just been fined heavily for not having a medical team there.
Great for Din! He definitely should have had some medics there. But I like the way he was getting his hustle on. If i lived there i would have paid to see them train. Maybe more camps will follow his lead. Xtreme Couture will be next. His shirts are in foot action. What a sell out. Burn your Affliction shirts now. How is that for hustling. Damn Randy.
Din is lucky prison is not his future. I hope he learns from it.
Din vs Florian
lets get it on
Definitely a huge relief because, while I don’t see him wearing a belt ever, I do see him as one of the top guys in this division, and an exciting fighter to watch as well. I’d like to see him rematch both Penn and Florian and wouldn’t be disapointed if he was made the prime test for someone trying to get themselves out of the TUF status and into real contention.
[quote comment="223203"]Din is lucky prison is not his future. I hope he learns from it.[/quote]
All he learned is that what he is doing isnt illegal. Therefore, he can keep doing it. No lessons learned here.
Din is lucky prison is not his future. I hope he learns from it.
All he learned is that what he is doing isnt illegal. Therefore, he can keep doing it. No lessons learned here.
Opps! my bad I didn’t read it correctly
its din guys….who cares,,,,the mike vick of the ufc!
I think what should happen now is the UFC should change to team ufc or ufc camp or maybe even UFC top team. Come on the guy clearly broke the law. LOCK HIM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!
Is that a county jail photo?
[quote comment="223182"]c’mon its din thomas who freakin cares about this bum![/quote]
Din is not a bum. And I am happy that the charges were dismissed. At every MMA gym in the country, do they have a medic on site during all sparring sessions? I HIGHLY doubt it. They wouldn’t even be able to stay in business with the prices of medics.