Father of UFC star Jorge Masvidal in custody after shooting at fighter's Miami home

Publish date: 2024-05-22

Explore More

The father of retired Ultimate Fighting Championship star Jorge Masvidal is reportedly in custody after a shooting at the fighter’s Miami mansion Thursday.

Cops responded to the mixed martial artist’s home after reports of gunshots, finding a male victim with two bullet wounds to his upper body, authorities said.

Masvidal, one of the UFC’s top attractions over the last decade, wasn’t home at the time of the incident and had no involvement.

The violence exploded after an argument escalated between Jorge Masvidal Sr. and the unidentified victim.

The distraught fighter was seen arriving at his 8,600-square-foot residence after police descended on the property.

“According to the victim, he was involved in an argument that escalated when the subject produced a firearm and shot him,” Miami-Dade Detective Chris Thomas told MMA Fighting. “The adult male victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition.”

According to news outlet Local 10, Masvidal, 38, made “obscene gestures” at media members — and had his driver hold up a towel to block their view as he left in a vehicle.

Jorge Masvidal’s father was taken into custody after the shooting. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Born in Cuba, Masvidal Sr. was hit with a federal prison term for drug charges when his son was just 4 years old.

The budding brawler did not see him again until he was in his teens, and the pair worked to rebuild their relationship, eventually becoming close.

Police said Masvidal Sr. was still in custody Friday morning.

Masvidal’s Miami home where the shooting took place. Local 10

After a storied career, Masvidal retired from fighting after losing to Gilbert Burns at UFC 268 on April 8.

Wildly popular in his home city, the “King of Miami” emerged as a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, who has attended several of his matches — including his final bout last month.

Police swarmed the Miami mansion after the shooting. Local 10

The vocal Republican also campaigned on behalf of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of his re-election last November and remains a backer.

“We also got the greatest governor of all time here in Florida,” he told a cheering crowd after his farewell contest. “Let’s keep Florida free, a red state.”

Masvidal — who began his fistic career with organized street fights — has been promoting Florida’s first sanctioned bare-knuckle card set for this weekend in Sunrise.

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7j25maW1fm661tMSrZKieXaqzpHnSrZirZZqkv6ixjKaYrK6Zma6tecinZJyto6m8pcWMmp2tnaJiwKm7zq2gp59dlsFussign62doqh6rrXApqBmoJ%2BisnA%3D