UFC Featherweight Chad Mendes Denies Bar Fight Accusations

SACRAMENTO, CA - JUNE 26: Chad Mendes works out for the media during the Team Alpha Male Media Open Workout at Ultimate Fitness Gym on June 26, 2012 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Last night, we reported that UFC Featherweight Chad Mendes was currently wanted for questioning concerning a bar fight the night before in his hometown of Hanford, CA. According to the original report, after authorities subdued another conflict at the Lacey Inn Bar, Mendes went back in to the establishment where he "sucker punched" another patron before fleeing the scene. As of last night, the authorities had been unable to reach Mendes and informed that if they could not contact the fighter, they would issue a warrant on Monday.

Today, MMA Fighting received a response from Mendes's management addressing the issue:

On Friday afternoon, Chad Mendes was shocked and surprised by the allegations contained in an article published on an Internet news site. While Chad acknowledges that an incident occurred last Saturday in Hanford, he contends that the majority of the facts pertaining to him in the story are absolutely false.

Attempts were immediately made by Chad's representatives to contact personnel at the Sheriff's Department on Friday afternoon. Despite these repeated attempts, Chad's representatives have not received any response from the Sheriff's Department at the time of this release.

Chad denies any wrongdoing and is very upset by the allegations contained in the story. He will fully cooperate with the Sheriff's Department and looks forward to clearing his name.

Chad Mendes is currently in Columbus, OH coaching his teammate Lance Palmer. That will certainly make resolving this issue quickly more difficult for him. If the local authorities deem it necessary to file criminal charges, the Assistant Sherriff said he may be charged with assault with a deadly weapon because of his professional training.