RASC News Agency: Ahmad Hassanzada, a 28-year-old Afghanistani mixed martial artist and recent signee to the UFC, has been arrested in Sacramento, California, on charges of committing sexual acts against a minor under the age of 14. The allegations, first reported by AG Fight, have prompted serious legal proceedings, with the case drawing particular attention due to the significant age disparity reportedly more than a decade between Hassanzada and the alleged victim.
The arrest took place last week, and the nature of the charge has elevated the case to one of heightened sensitivity under Californian criminal law. Initially, Hassanzada was denied bail and detained without the possibility of release. However, following a court hearing, a judge granted him conditional release, setting bail at $400,000. He remains in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail pending the formal commencement of trial proceedings.
Hassanzada had recently earned a UFC contract after a victorious performance on Dana White’s Contender Series and was slated to make his promotional debut on April 26 in Kansas City. Once considered a fast-rising talent in the world of professional MMA, Hassanzada’s arrest now casts a long and dark shadow over his career, threatening what was once a promising ascent through the ranks of the sport. Neither the UFC nor Team Alpha Male Hassanzada’s affiliated training camp has issued an official statement in response to the arrest. However, sources close to the UFC, speaking to veteran MMA journalist Marcel Dorff, have confirmed that the organization has already terminated Hassanzada’s contract. According to these reports, his scheduled opponent will now face a replacement fighter, Gage Young, on the April 26 card.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the MMA community and raised pressing questions regarding vetting procedures, ethical oversight, and institutional responsibility within professional combat sports. Fans and industry figures alike await further information regarding the legal proceedings and the long-term ramifications for Hassanzada. At a time when mixed martial arts continues to expand its global reach and mainstream credibility, the charges against Hassanzada represent a reputational crisis not just for the athlete but for the sport as a whole. What was once an upward trajectory toward international stardom may now be replaced by a protracted legal battle and the potential collapse of a professional career.
