Donavon Duran, an MMA fighter who started his career off in 2015, may never get a chance to step into the cage again after allegedly being inflicted with partial paralysis by police officers using excessive force.
According to a report on Copblock, officers from the La Junta Police Department responded to a call from a member of Duran's family about the "drunk MMA fighter." The 24-year-old was arrested on December 7, 2015 for drunk and disorderly conduct.
However, Duran alleges that the officers inflicted serious damage to his neck that led to partial paralysis.
"They tackled me to the floor," he told KOAA5. They put all their pressure on top of me with their knees. They put their knee in my back. I can't feel anything below my waist, I can't stand on my own.
"I finally started feeling weaker and weaker and my neck started hurting," said Duran. "I knew something was wrong and I told them I couldn't move. They didn't believe me. The doctor lifted me up and I fell to the floor and my legs went in different directions."
The report also revealed that there is no record of a case against Duran and that no charges were filled against him.
Doctors have informed Duran that he is unlikely to walk again. The spinal cord injury also means he can't move his hands or fingers.
Two of the three alleged officers involved in the incident are on desk duty and could face criminal charges.