In a dramatic turn of events, UFC fighter Antonio Trocoli was arrested last week (Fri., Oct. 4, 2024) in Huntington Beach, California, on misdemeanor battery charges. Trocoli, who is married to UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern, is accused of assaulting Dern’s estranged ex-husband, Wesley Santos, during what Santos described as a tense and disturbing encounter. The incident has added another layer of complexity to Dern’s ongoing divorce and custody battle over their daughter, Moa.
Wesley Santos, who shares custody of Moa with Dern, issued a detailed statement to MMAFighting.com, shedding light on the alleged altercation and ongoing tensions between him, Dern, and Trocoli. In his statement, Santos accused Trocoli of repeatedly interfering with custody exchanges and using intimidation tactics over the past months.
“Mackenzie Dern is my ex-wife, and after our divorce, she married Antonio ‘Malvado’ Jose Trocoli da Silveira Filho. We divorced and have shared custody of our daughter Moa, but Antonio never stopped following me,” Santos wrote. “We had a deal that he would not be part of the custody, but he was always nearby, threatening and disturbing in every custody change. He sent messages through Moa, saying he would beat me up, and Moa told me clearly.”
The situation escalated last Friday when Santos dropped Moa off at school and was heading home on his skateboard. According to Santos, he saw Trocoli pull up in a white car and immediately started recording the situation on his phone. Santos described the incident, stating: “I dropped my daughter at school this past Friday and was going back home on a skateboard when I saw a white car stop, and I started recording. It was Antonio. He got out of the car and punched me, and the car kept moving [along], and he ran back inside the car. Cops were called, there were several witnesses, and Antonio was arrested for battery.”
Trocoli was subsequently taken into custody by Huntington Beach authorities. Santos provided video evidence of the encounter to the police, and witnesses at the scene corroborated his account. The Brazilian UFC fighter now faces legal consequences that could affect his career, as misdemeanor battery charges are taken seriously by both law enforcement and the UFC.
This arrest adds further strain to Dern’s personal life as she continues to navigate a highly publicized divorce. The MMA star has remained silent on the matter, but reports indicate that Dern had previously alleged domestic violence during her ongoing legal disputes with Santos. Sources close to Dern claim she is focused on her fighting career, but this latest controversy involving her husband may overshadow her upcoming plans in the Octagon.
The UFC has not yet issued an official statement regarding Trocoli’s arrest. Historically, the promotion has enforced strict conduct policies regarding fighters’ behavior outside of the cage, meaning that Trocoli could face disciplinary action or suspension pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
As the case moves forward, both Santos and Trocoli will have their day in court, where the legal system will determine the outcome. Meanwhile, the MMA community remains on edge, watching closely as this family drama unfolds in public view.
This incident also places Mackenzie Dern in a difficult position as she balances her personal life with her career in the UFC. Dern, known for her elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills, is considered a top contender in the UFC strawweight division. However, the constant turbulence in her personal life could take a toll on her ability to focus inside the Octagon.
For now, the public awaits further developments in this ongoing story, as both the legal and personal ramifications of Trocoli’s arrest continue to unravel.
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