A RISING MMA star has been arrested on child sex crime allegations just days before he was set to make his UFC debut.
Ahmad Hassanzada, 28, turned himself into cops in relation to an investigation that dated back to 2024.
He’s facing charges of a lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14, according to Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office records seen by The U.S. Sun.
And, he is also accused of a lewd act on a child between the age of 14 and 15, with the defendant 10 years older than the alleged victim.
He will face an arraignment hearing on April 22.
The cage fighter turned himself in on Saturday afternoon as an arrest warrant had been issued.
His bail has been set at $400,000.
Hassanzada, a lightweight fighter from Afghanistan, was set to make his debut in the Octagon on April 26.
The showdown against Mitch Ramirez was due to take place in Kansas City at the UFC Fight Night event.
Hassanzada rose to fame after prevailing in the lightweight category of Dana White’s Contender Series.
The series gives budding stars the opportunity to win UFC contracts.
Hassanzada last fought fellow lightweight Dylan Mantello on September 18 last year.
He won the contest in under three minutes via a submission.
But, chiefs have confirmed that he is no longer under contract since the arrest.
“Ahmad Hassanzada was removed from his bout and is no longer signed to the organization,” a representative told MMA Mania.
FIGHTING RECORD
Hassanzada boasted a 12-3 record during his fighting career, according to ESPN.
He had won three consecutive bouts, with his last defeat coming in February 2023.
He also competed on White’s Contender Series show in 2022.
But, he was defeated by Afghanistan rival Nazim Sadykhov.
His only other MMA defeats came against Belarussian fighter Piotr Birko in 2019, and American lightweight star Josh Streacker.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14068999/ahmad-hassanzada-mma-arrested-ufc/
