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[jcmichaels42]

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2007/oct/...s-accused-run/

Kind of crazy. I wouldn't think Din would be the type of guy to do this stuff.

[Quintessential Studmuffin]

WOW I didnt see this coming. Could this mean UFC drops him??

[leedogg900]

kinda stupid how u cant fight or let ppl fight in ur own gym

but i guess when u have 150 spectators he prolly was making money off it

[Dork8503]

Bye Bye Din you are fired.

[jcmichaels42]

I'm guessing they probably suspected people betting on the fights or something of that nature.

[Ubermensch]

Ultimate fighting celebrity Din Thomas arrested after allegedly running illegal matches in PSL

By Will Greenlee (Contact)
Originally published 11:26 a.m., October 30, 2007
Updated 01:04 p.m., October 30, 2007

PORT ST. LUCIE — Din Thomas, well-known in the Ultimate Fighting Championship world, was arrested Tuesday after police say he ran “illegal cage fighting” matches at a local training studio that he runs, a police spokesman said.

Thomas, 31, faces a felony prohibited competitions charge after police got a tip Oct. 19 about the matches at a facility he uses in St. Lucie West.

Inside, they observed two men fighting in an octagon-shaped ring surrounded by about 150 spectators. The fights reportedly weren't sanctioned.

The state Boxing Commission, which is part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, licenses and regulates professional boxing and mixed martial arts in Florida, DBPR spokesman Sam Farkas said.

Amateur boxing matches are regulated and licensed by a sanctioning committee that's approved by the boxing commission, but no mixed martial arts fights are allowed at the amateur level.

“At the end of the day, he was having a professional mixed martial arts match that was not licensed through us,” Farkas said. “It was a case of unlicensed activity.”

Thomas is well known in the world of ultimate fighting, commonly known as mixed martial arts, a brutal combination of boxing, kickboxing and wrestling in a boxing ring or cage. The fighting is so intense that most fights are limited to three five-minute rounds.

Thomas, who lost last month to Kenny Florian in an Ultimate Fighting Championship match televised live on Spike TV, has a gym on South U.S. 1 near Port St. Lucie Boulevard. It’s named American Top Team Port St. Lucie (ATTPSL) because of an affiliation with American Top Team, a national organization with franchises across the country.

A Delaware native, Thomas was 12 when he moved with his family to Port St. Lucie, graduating from Port St. Lucie High School in 1994.
Comments(17)

#1 Posted by easyherb on October 30, 2007 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What, you can't train & spar now? PSL cops just showing this guy a hard time. I hope Din clears this up real fast. He's a really great man, a great martial artist too.

#2 Posted by jdimarco on October 30, 2007 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I bet the PSLPD was pooping in their panties when they went to arrest him.

Typical PSL bulls$%t, arresting a guy who is providing the place for guys to willingly participate in fights and not hurt anyone innocent.

Trumped up charges, seriously a felony. This is ridiculous. Now there will be 150 people running around on the streets with nothing to do but possibly commit a real crime. Nice job PSLPD, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

I feel safer already. What kind of clowns would go after this guy for something so harmless. Try doing some real policework like cleaning up the parks in the city an the whole darn area around Darwin Square. That might make a difference, not this waste of time and money.

When I was a kid we used to have smoker matches (boxing) in garages and warehouses. We could charge people a buck or two to come in and watch people fight. If someone wanted to put on the gloves and call someone into the ring, if the other person was willing then the fight was on. Who were we hurting? Nobody, thats who. Thank goodness that it was in New York, not PSL and they had better things to deal with (which PSL does but does not admit), otherwise I might be a convicted felon right now.

#3 Posted by howaboutthoseapples on October 30, 2007 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This should be a message to all of the pot farmers, "Start your growhouses up" the PSLPD is busy fighting real crime......not!

#4 Posted by js on October 30, 2007 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Arrest street crime.

Arrest drunk driving

Private fights? Did the spectators pay to watch? Was there betting going on? Did Din pay taxes on any proceedes?

Was a medical doctor present?

Who would have stopped the fight if either fighter got beat senseless?

Chickens, dogs and people fights are illegal , barbaric, and uncivilized unless taxes are being paid and proper permits are approved:

Personally, I still like bull fights best:

If the Matador is a good and brave fighter, he can take an ear, or two, and even a tongue as reward for his swift kill.

Of course, the meat is put on sale in the market to feed the publico after the slaughter.

Baseball and football are fun games too.

#5 Posted by innervate on October 30, 2007 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess he did not apply and PAY for a licence. These guys are willing particapants. Go after the dog and cock fighters that are cruel and inhumane.

#6 Posted by The_Slammer on October 30, 2007 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Police aside, I wonder if the UFC condones what he did? There's a reason fights are properly sanctioned in order for them to take place. He knew the rules of the game. This isn't Asia!

#7 Posted by billyray on October 30, 2007 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i was there that night and there were 2 guys from orlando american top team franchise to compete against the port saint lucie franchise and all the fights were basically exhibitons to get guys used to being in front of crowds and there was a referee watching closely.the police did show up during the second match but they didn't shut it down and they spoke with Din and let the matches continue.My 16 year old son has just begun training at Mr.Thomas'school and Mr.Thomas has been professional and excellent as a jiu-jitsu instructor and if this was so illegal how come the cops let it continue?? There was no gambling on these exhibition fights either.I'm sure this is another example of going after a guy for no good reason and I SUPPORT DIN THOMAS 100%.

Here is the article

[twankydawg]

What a crock of shit, I bet those cops didn't want any part of Din and were probably glad he went in quietly.

[tapper]

wow, din got micheal vick syndrome.

[Jon-E-Law]

bye dean we will miss you!!!!

[Jon-E-Law]

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

Wow. that fucking sucks. He is most definaly out of the UFC when convicted.

And Liquid money change your sig.


My boss said so you asshole.

why am i an asshole. and do i really have to that max dude has ass all over his sig