Police Report Indicates Ali Abdelaziz Hit Abe Kawa with ‘Closed Fist’ at PFL Event
The backstage incident between MMA managers Ali Abdelaziz and Abe
Kawa at the Professional Fighters League playoff event last Friday
might have been more serious than
initially reported.
According to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department report obtained by MMAjunkie.com, two officers observed Abdelaziz strike Kawa with a “closed fist” at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Oct. 11. Leisette France, the fiancee of UFC fighter Anthony Pettis, corroborated the officer’s account in the report. Photos were taken of Kawa’s injuries and Abdelaziz was escorted off the premises, per the report.
The PFL, meanwhile, issued the following statement:
“The Professional Fighters League is aware of an incident that occurred Friday, October 11 backstage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center between MMA managers Ali Abdelaziz and Ibrahim Kawa. PFL understands that a police report has been filed by Mr. Kawa and is continuing to gather information.”
Abdelaziz, who founded Dominance MMA, represents numerous notable fighters including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, and Usman. Kawa’s First Round Management also boasts a stable of stars, including Jon Jones, Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley.
The full statement from the Las Vegas police is as follows:
On October 11, 2019 at approximately 2126 Hours, I, Officer B. Redd P#16936 operating as marked and uniformed patrol unit MAN9 responded to a Battery in progress while working a special event at Mandalay Bay Event Center 3950 South Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89119.
Sgt. A Aguirre P#9645 and Sgt. K. Lorsen P#5746 while on post in the VIP section observed an unknown male later identified as ALAA R ABDELAZIZ, strike another male in his face with a closed fist.. The male identified as the victim identified himself via his Miami ID as Ibrahim Kawa [redacted]. Kawa stated while in the VIP area Aziz approached him stated he needed to speak with him and subsequently struck him in the face with a closed fist on the right side of his face for no reason. Once struck Officers and Mandalay Security immediately responded, and separated both parties. Sgt. Aguirre and Sgt Lorsen observed the incident in its entirety.
Leisette France corroborated the incident observed by officers.
Aziz did willfully and unlawfully use force and violence upon the person of another to wit Ibrahim Kawa by using his fist to hit said victim in the face and head area in the presence of a public officer.
Photos of Kawa’s injuries were taken and uploaded to OnBase.
Due to the above facts and circumstances, a battery occurring in officers presence Aziz was issued a citation and escorted off the premises.
According to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department report obtained by MMAjunkie.com, two officers observed Abdelaziz strike Kawa with a “closed fist” at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Oct. 11. Leisette France, the fiancee of UFC fighter Anthony Pettis, corroborated the officer’s account in the report. Photos were taken of Kawa’s injuries and Abdelaziz was escorted off the premises, per the report.
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“The Professional Fighters League is aware of an incident that occurred Friday, October 11 backstage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center between MMA managers Ali Abdelaziz and Ibrahim Kawa. PFL understands that a police report has been filed by Mr. Kawa and is continuing to gather information.”
This isn’t the first time that Abdelaziz has been involved in a
physical altercation. According to a separate report from
MMAFighting.com, a bench trial stemming from a
run-in with Colby
Covington this past summer on Monday was rescheduled for Nov.
25. In that incident, Abelaziz and Kamaru
Usman exchanged words with Covington at the A.Y.C.E buffet the
day after Usman’s title win at UFC 235. Abdelaziz is the more
aggressive of the two and appears to throw punches at Covington
before the parties are separated. Abdelaziz is also facing a
misdemeanor battery battery charge from that incident.
Abdelaziz, who founded Dominance MMA, represents numerous notable fighters including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, and Usman. Kawa’s First Round Management also boasts a stable of stars, including Jon Jones, Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley.
The full statement from the Las Vegas police is as follows:
On October 11, 2019 at approximately 2126 Hours, I, Officer B. Redd P#16936 operating as marked and uniformed patrol unit MAN9 responded to a Battery in progress while working a special event at Mandalay Bay Event Center 3950 South Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89119.
Sgt. A Aguirre P#9645 and Sgt. K. Lorsen P#5746 while on post in the VIP section observed an unknown male later identified as ALAA R ABDELAZIZ, strike another male in his face with a closed fist.. The male identified as the victim identified himself via his Miami ID as Ibrahim Kawa [redacted]. Kawa stated while in the VIP area Aziz approached him stated he needed to speak with him and subsequently struck him in the face with a closed fist on the right side of his face for no reason. Once struck Officers and Mandalay Security immediately responded, and separated both parties. Sgt. Aguirre and Sgt Lorsen observed the incident in its entirety.
Leisette France corroborated the incident observed by officers.
Aziz did willfully and unlawfully use force and violence upon the person of another to wit Ibrahim Kawa by using his fist to hit said victim in the face and head area in the presence of a public officer.
Photos of Kawa’s injuries were taken and uploaded to OnBase.
Due to the above facts and circumstances, a battery occurring in officers presence Aziz was issued a citation and escorted off the premises.
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