Din Thomas Cleared of Charges
Last month we reported that UFC veteran, Din Thomas was arrested in Port St. Lucie, Florida for holding illegal fights out his mixed martial arts academy. This morning, The Palm Beach Post has revealed that prosecutors have decided to drop the third-degree felony charges against Din Thomas. Assistant State Attorney, Jeff Hendriks cited a number of reasons for dropping the charges. Hendriks believes that had the case gone to court, Thomas’ lawyer would have won since the participants of the “illegal fights” are all students of Din Thomas who meet on a regular basis regardless. Additionally, Hendriks also points out that Thomas did not earn any profits from the fights, and one of the students present that night was a paramedic. Those facts combined would have made it difficult to convict Din Thomas of breaking the prohibited competitions statute. Hendriks told The Palm Beach Post,
“It would have made it difficult to convict beyond a reasonable doubt in this case were this case to even go far.”
Din Thomas (20-7-0) was last seen fighting at UFC Fight Night 11 where he lost to Kenny Florian via rear naked choke in the main event.
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I am glad that Din was cleared. I was really bummed when he hurt himself going for the takedown on Florian. I think he could have won that fight, and I hope to see him back in action soon.
I’m glad he’s cleared also. Silly comment though about him being able to beat Florian if he wasn’t injured. Florian beat him throughout the fight.
Florain kicks his ass that entire fight. He actually should be embarrassed by that showing. He got so frustrated that he even tryed to taunt Ken-Flo into doing something stupid. Din got beat that entire fight. Florian picked the moment he wanted to beat him and did it. While it’s unfortunate that he got injured, that was no excuse for getting beat up like he did. I don’t care if I ever see him fight in the UFC again. There are lots of great 155ers that are better than him. But, I guess I’m glad to see him cleared of these charges.
I don’t know how you can say Florian picked the moment he wanted to beat Thomas. If I remember the fight correctly Thomas shot in for a takedown and his knee buckled, allowing Florian to take his back and get the choke.
Anyway, good to see that Thomas was cleared, this was a ridiculous situation to start with.
Thank you DrBDan. That’s exactlly how I remember it happening too. I thought my memory was f-ing with me. Sure it made Flo look great beating on a cripple. I am not trying to take anything away from Florian, I think he is great. Just don’t see how you can chalk that up as he picked and choosed when he was going to beat Din. Din got hurt early in the fight and chose to ride it out cause he is tough.
Din is a badass. He is definently no push over. I think he would have beaten Florian too. Florian is a good fighter but I think Din is better. Din has a pretty impressive resume to be called a pushover. He has beaten that duechbag Serra, and beat Pulver, and Guida. Sure Florian has beaten some dudes that couldnt make it in the UFC, and his best fight against Stout….but if Din doesnt get injured..he wins.
Good for Din. Before the Kenny fight, I thought he was close to a title shot. Florian is in another zone right now and is as focused as any fighter going. Hopefully Din can fully recover and come back strong and make another run at the top, but I didn’t see anything from him that night to suggest he could have won had he stayed healthy, IMO.
I’m happy to see him cleared of the charges against him. I think if Diego Sanchez is serious about dropping to 155, then for Diego’s debut as Lightweight should be against Din Thomas.
good to see din get off.
fixxer- i know the judges gave din the decision over guida but there is no way guida lost that fight.
i think the florian/thomas fight would have been a good one if din didn’t get hurt.
red- if diego sanchez comes down to 155 he derserves a no.1 contenders match. he would steamroll thomas just like he did florian.
GIP….ur right. It was pretty close though. It coulda went either way. I am not dissapointed in the decision though. It wasnt anything like Bisping-Hammill.
fixxer- i thought it was worse then bisping/hammill. very similar fights though.