Judge grants Thiago Silva release on $25,000 bond
A Florida judge today granted the release of former UFC light heavyweight Thiago Silva from the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s Department of Detention, one month after a domestic altercation with his estranged wife ended in a police standoff and his arrest, his manager told MMAjunkie.
Glenn Robinson of Authentic Sports Management said the fighter was released on a $25,000 bond following a hearing today in a Broward County (Fla.) court.
“I am dealing with getting him out before day’s end,†Robinson wrote via text message. “Just working on paperwork.â€
Robinson said he and several others, including UFC light heavyweight Rashad Evans and Fabianna Popovitch, spoke on Silva’s behalf during the hearing.
According to a report from a Florida NBC affiliate, Silva was ordered to stay away from his wife, Thaysa Silva, who according to a police report was involved in a romantic relationship with Pablo Popovitch. TMZ Sports also reported that Silva is under house arrest with an electronic monitor and is required to complete an anger management program and submit to random drug and alcohol testing.
Silva initially was charged with two counts of felony attempted murder stemming from a Feb. 6 incident at Pablo Popovitch Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Oakland Park, Fla. Police say Silva drove up to the academy, where Thaysa trains, and threatened her and Pablo Popovich with a gun before fleeing to his home, where police followed and a standoff ensued. Silva eventually surrendered nonviolently to police and was taken into custody.
In court this past month, the charges against the Brazilian fighter were reduced to aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a count of resisting arrest without violence. But a judge denied the fighter bail, which initially was set at more than $2 million, after deeming him a flight risk and danger to his estranged spouse, who filed a restraining order against him earlier past year following another domestic incident. The two separated in 2012.
Silva was scheduled to fight Ovince St. Preux on March 15 at UFC 171 but was released from the promotion following reports of the standoff. In court, Silva’s business attorney said the fighter has an IRS garnishment placed against him and has no assets.
Silva is due back in court next week, according to TMZ Sports.
