A promising MMA fighter has been arrested on allegations of child sex crimes just days before he was scheduled to make his debut in the UFC.
Ahmad Hassanzada, 28, turned himself in to police in connection with an investigation dating back to 2024.
He is charged with lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14, according to Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office records.
He is also accused of a lewd act on a child between 14 and 15 years old, where the defendant is 10 years older than the alleged victim.
His arraignment hearing is scheduled for April 22.
The MMA fighter surrendered on Saturday afternoon after an arrest warrant was issued.
His bail has been set at $400,000.
Hassanzada, a lightweight fighter from Afghanistan, was preparing for his Octagon debut on April 26.
The match against Mitch Ramirez was supposed to occur in Kansas City at the UFC Fight Night event.
Hassanzada gained recognition after winning the lightweight division in Dana White`s Contender Series.
This series offers promising fighters the chance to earn UFC contracts.
Hassanzada`s last fight was against Dylan Mantello on September 18 of last year.
He won that fight in under three minutes by submission.
However, officials have confirmed that he is no longer under contract since his arrest.
“Ahmad Hassanzada has been removed from his fight and is no longer signed with the organization,” a representative told MMA Mania.
FIGHTING RECORD
Hassanzada has a record of 12 wins and 3 losses in his fighting career, according to ESPN.
He had been on a three-fight winning streak, with his last loss in February 2023.
He also participated in White`s Contender Series show in 2022.
However, he was defeated by his rival from Afghanistan, Nazim Sadykhov.
His other MMA losses were against Belarusian fighter Piotr Birko in 2019 and American lightweight fighter Josh Streacker.
Weeks before his arrest, Hassanzada shared wedding ceremony photos on Instagram, captioning the post: “Life is beautiful, don`t forget to be grateful.”
