Published on: December 13, 2024, 07:26h. 

Last updated on: December 13, 2024, 07:26h.

Former MMA fighter Vinny Magalhaes was taken into custody in Las Vegas last weekend, as reported by TMZ Sports on Friday. Witnesses claimed that Magalhaes, a former UFC light heavyweight, allegedly threatened three family members with a firearm, according to the arrest report.

No shots were fired and there were no reported injuries.

Magalhaes, aged 40, is facing three counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon and is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center.

As per sources from xtremekickboxing.com, Magalhaes had his first court appearance on Tuesday and is scheduled to return on December 23.

If convicted on all charges, Magalhaes could potentially receive a maximum sentence of 18 years.

During the peak of his career in 2008, Magalhaes, also known as “Pezão,” reached the finals in the eighth season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” a reality TV show and MMA competition organized by the UFC. He suffered a knockout loss in the first round against Ryan Bader, who claimed the light heavyweight title.

Magalhaes’ final UFC bout, which resulted in another knockout defeat, was against Anthony Perosh in 2013. Overall, in his MMA career, Magalhaes accumulated a record of 19 wins and 12 losses.