June 8, 2012; Sunrise, FL, USA; Ian McCall reacts after losing to Demetrious Johnson (not pictured) during their UFC bout at BankAtlantic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
Last week, UFC Flyweight Ian McCall was released from the Central Men's Jail in Santa Ana, CA. McCall was arrested 3 weeks ago and charged with driving on a suspended license. He spent just over two weeks in the facility before his release. McCall has been very forthright in the past about his history of drug addiction and initial reports tied the arrest to outstanding warrants from that darker part of his life.
Wednesday afternoon, McCall appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani to explain the situation:
They thought I was a drug dealer. Don't know why. Well, actually, I know why. Someone that doesn't like me told them I was a drug dealer. An actual drug dealer that doesn't like me got busted -- I've seen the paperwork -- and said ‘oh, he's a drug dealer too.' And they came over to my house and they didn't find any drugs, they didn't find any text messages, they didn't find anything bad. So they're like ‘okay, you're not a drug dealer, but your probation officer said to come get you anyways because you have a suspended license.
"It was embarrassing. Them taking me away in front of my daughter and my wife. They tore my house apart, they tore my car apart. I guess they were following me from the gym, and they said, ‘oh, it would be more embarrassing if you got arrested in front of your gym.' Well I'd much rather be arrested in front of my gym, where my coach is a lawyer, compared to me being arrested at my house, in front of my neighbors and my daughter. I don't know. Cops are stupid, and they really just wanted to come to the house and search the house. But, again, I'm not a drug dealer and I'm not being charged with selling drugs.
Despite this setback, McCall is moving forward and looking toward his next chance to fight in the UFC. He says the UFC brass has been very supportive of him and he hopes to re-enter the Octagon by January 2013. Ian McCall's last fight was against Demetrious Johnson at UFC On FX 3. McCall lost a close decision in the semi-final bout the Flyweight tournament.
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