UFC Releases ‘The Ultimate Fighter 14’ Winner Diego Brandao

According to sources close to the situation, Diego Brandao has been released from the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The promotion has yet to formally announce Brandao’s release. The news comes on the heels of an incident earlier this month where Brandao allegedly threatened a group of people with a gun outside an Albuquerque, N.M., strip club before hitting an employee in the face with the weapon. “The Ultimate Fighter 14” winner was arrested on three felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Shortly thereafter, the promotion released a statement that it was "concerned by the nature of the reported allegations,” but that it would withhold further comment until more information could be gathered.

Prior to his arrest, Brandao tested positive for marijuana metabolites during an in-competition drug test prior to his third-round submission loss to Brian Ortega at UFC 195 on Jan. 2 in Las Vegas. He was temporarily suspended but has yet to appear before the NAC for a full disciplinary hearing.

Brandao went 6-4 during his UFC tenure, garnering triumphs over the likes of Dennis Bermudez, Daniel Pineda, Jim Hettes and Katsunori Kikuno. He also notably lost to Conor McGregor via first-round TKO at UFC Fight Night in Dublin in July 2014. The 28-year-old Brazilian is 20-11 in his professional career overall.