Rogers Asserts Innocence after June Arrest
Mike Whitman Jul 16, 2011
Former Strikeforce heavyweight contender Brett Rogers released a statement this week proclaiming his innocence after being arrested on felony charges last month.
The fighter was taken into custody after police responded to a domestic disturbance call at his home in the Minneapolis suburb of Apple Valley, Minn., on the evening of June 30. Rogers was reportedly charged with stalking, third-degree assault, domestic assault by strangulation and endangerment of a child. He was released from his Strikeforce contract shortly after his arrest.
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“Mr. Rogers asserts his innocence in this matter, and is confident that the facts of what happened will vindicate his assertion of innocence,” the statement read.
“Mr. Rogers has never been charged with any domestic related incidents or assault offenses. He is a caring and loving husband and father that has recently found success as a heavyweight mixed martial arts fighter. We urge all media and interested individuals to withhold judgment as to what occurred during this incident.”
Inside the cage, Rogers rose to prominence in 2009 when he knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in his sophomore Strikeforce effort. This would prove to be the 30-year-old's most impressive performance to-date, as his perfect pro record came to a screeching halt in his next fight. “The Grim” was knocked out by both Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem in Strikeforce competition before notching a decision win at a W-1 event over journeyman Ruben Villareal this past October.
Rogers' most recent effort came in the first round of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix on June 18, where he was dominated by Josh Barnett. The onetime UFC champ took Rogers down on multiple occasions, mounting and eventually finishing the Minnesotan with a second round arm-triangle choke.
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