5 UFC fighters who repeatedly got into trouble with the law

The stereotype that UFC fighters are simply brutish thugs is very unfair to the majority of the roster. However, as in any sport, there are always a few outliers who keep the stereotype alive by repeatedly getting into trouble with the law.

As the sport grows in popularity, so does the spotlight on individual fighters. This added pressure, and the often sudden change in fortune for stars of the sport, can occasionally cause a very negative reaction.

In the past, we have seen fighters be accused of a range of crimes, from assault to fraud. In the following list, we break down five repeat offenders who can't stop getting into trouble with the law. Fighters on this list have competed in the UFC at least once.

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#5. Anthony Johnson - former UFC welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight fighter

Now a Bellator fighter, Anthony Johnson was once one of the most terrifying knockout artists in the UFC. 'Rumble' brutally defeated the likes of Glover Teixeira, Ryan Bader and Alexander Gustaffson. He picked up a massive fanbase along the way.

Over the course of his MMA career, Johnson has been charged with multiple crimes. In 2009, he was charged with domestic battery, to which he pleaded no contest, as per MMA Fighting. In 2014, domestic abuse charges were laid upon him, although no charges were filed.

Similar charges were raised in 2019 as reported by Bleacher Report, although the case was ultimately dismissed after he reached a joint agreement with prosecutors.

Most recently, it was reported that Johnson was arrested in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and charged with identity theft. He supposedly used a stolen credit card to pay for a flight from Newark to Fort Lauderdale.

#4. Jason 'Mayhem' Miller - former UFC middleweight fighter

Some UFC fighters live up to their nicknames, and then there is Jason 'Mayhem' Miller. A former UFC middleweight who competed in multiple organizations throughout his 34-fight career, Miller's eccentric personality was an excellent draw for fans of the sport at the time.

Many fighters have exaggerated personas they show off to the media, but this was not the case for Miller. From 2011 onwards, Miller repeatedly found himself in trouble with the law.

He has been convicted of many crimes, with just some of them listed here: 2011 - simple assault and false imprisonment, 2013 - domestic battery, 2015 - simple misdemeanor battery and resisting arrest, 2016 - DUI, via NBC Los Angeles.

A report on September 10th revealed that Miller had once again been arrested. He is charged with felony domestic violence. He’s being held on bail of $1.385 million.

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#3. B.J. Penn - former UFC welterweight, lightweight & featherweight fighter

B.J. Penn is a name synonymous not only with the UFC, but MMA in general. His accomplishments were nothing short of incredible, competing in multiple weight classes against each division's elite.

However, in the latter years of his career, B.J. Penn's MMA career essentially fell apart. The last eight fights of his career ended with seven losses and one draw. It appears that alongside this unfortunate run of form, Penn began turning to alcohol.

Numerous videos have emerged of Penn getting into fights in the streets, often ending up on the losing side of them. In January 2015, Penn was arrested at a bar in Hawaii and charged with assault following a mass brawl that had ensued. Footage has emerged of more drunken brawls taking place, with two notable ones occurring in 2019.

Penn has also had multiple relationship issues. His estranged girlfriend, Shealen Uaiwa, filing a restraining order against him, that was later granted, as reported by MMA Fighting.

#2. Conor McGregor - current UFC featherweight, lightweight & welterweight fighter

Conor McGregor is the biggest star to have ever competed in the UFC; a double champion who has had victories in three different weight divisions. He also boxed Floyd Mayweather, making millions in the process.

However, with McGregor, it may well be a case of struggling to cope with a huge amount of fame and money thrust upon him in a short space of time. Since rising to success, McGregor has had multiple altercations with the law, all highly published by the press all over the world.

The highest profile case is most likely the notorious dolly incident. This occurred after McGregor heard that his teammate, Artem Lobov, had been involved in an altercation of his own with Khabib Nurmagomedov. McGregor jumped on a plane and flew to the United States, arriving just as Khabib was leaving the premises.

Footage shows McGregor and a large number of his entourage racing out in pursuit. McGregor eventually launches a metal dolly at the bus Khabib was in, shattering the window and injuring numerous people. Shortly after, the Irishman handed himself in to the authorities.

McGregor has also gone to court for several other reasons, although these cases have since been dropped.

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#1. Jon Jones - current UFC light heavyweight & heavyweight

It has often been said that Jon Jones' greatest opponent is himself. Jones is undoubtedly one of the greatest competitors to have ever set foot inside the UFC octagon. But his career has been plagued with constant arrests following brief losses of control from the former light heavyweight champion.

Jones appears to suffer from substance abuse issues, as he has repeatedly picked up DUI convictions, often in the aftermath of some relatively serious crimes. In 2012 he drove his car into a telephone pole whilst under the influence. In 2015, Jones was convicted after being seen fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run, as per Fansided.

It later transpired that Jones had hit a pregnant woman. This led to Jones having his UFC belt stripped from him at the time.

More recently, Jones was accused of battery by a waitress in 2019. Now in 2021, Jones has just been charged with misdemeanor battery domestic violence and injuring or tampering with a vehicle.

This may well be the final straw that truly tarnishes the UFC legacy of one of the most talented fighters of all time.