Florida-based MMA promotion Combat Night found itself smack dab in the middle of Friday’s media frenzy regarding the arrest of Cesar Sayoc, the man police say is responsible for mailing bombs to media figures and politicians over the last several days.
Combat Night’s logo, as well as two stickers bearing the logo of Florida MMA mainstay American Top Team, was plastered on Sayoc’s van, which police impounded shortly after his arrest on Friday. The van was also adorned with pro-Donald Trump stickers and a slew of far-right rhetoric.
Combat Night, which was formerly owned in part by the late Ultimate Fighting Championship and “The Ultimate Fighter” veteran Josh Samman, denied any kind of affiliation with the 56-year-old Sayoc in a statement sent to MMA Fighting.
Combat Night is not in any way affiliated with the individual arrested today in connection with this week’s terrorist acts. Combat Night absolutely disavows any political violence or threats of violence. We are an apolitical organization that supports MMA athletes and our local communities. We are relieved and pleased to hear that our remarkable law enforcement agencies were able to quickly apprehend the suspect without further incident.
We have held over 100 events across the state of Florida so we have a ton of fans. It is unfortunate that one of our fans is affiliated with this but they are in no way associated with Combat Night and he has never fought or worked for us.
American Top Team owner Dan Lambert also rejected any claim that Sayoc trained at or had any kind of affiliation with the renowned gym. Lambert told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, “Nobody known hm. I called around. Not in the membership database either.”
Sayoc has been charged with interstate transport of explosives, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents and other persons, threatening interstate commerce, as well as assaulting current and former federal officers, after his fingerprints turned up on a package sent to Rep. Maxine Waters of California. He was taken into custody on Friday morning and faces up to 58 years in prison if found guilty.