UFC welterweight Abdul Razak Alhassan, 33, was indicted on two counts of sexual assault on September 24th. Alhassan was arrested in April after he was accused of driving two women home from a bar and raping them inside one of their homes. Since his arrest, Alhassan has been free on a $20,000 bond and was required to wear a GPS monitor at times.
Alhassan was permitted to remove his monitor so he could fight at UFC 228 on September 8th. Since then Alhassan’s lawyer, Brandon Barnett, has argued that Alhassan should not have to wear his GPS monitor due to how the device interferes with his client’s career.
On Tuesday, at a bond hearing in Tarrant County, TX, Barnett told Tarrant County Criminal Magistrate Timmie White that Alhassan’s GPS monitor requirement represented, “really a condition of oppression rather than one ensuring that he’ll show up in trial.”
Prosecutor Allyson Kucera told the court that she would prefer that Alhassan at least wear the GPS monitor while he was in Tarrant County. Alhassan’s bond supervisor Heidi McCusker also testified at the hearing. She stated that Alhassan had not committed any bond violations since April.
“In the time I’ve gotten to know him through our 13 visits, he has not given me a reason to not trust him,” said McCusker.
Alhassan’s coach Sayif Saud also testified at the hearing. Saud stated that Alhassan’s requirement to wear a GPS monitor did not allow him to train as intensely as was required or to undergo his recovery regimens.
After hearing these arguments, Judge White sided with Alhassan’s team stating; “I don’t see any reason for me to stop him from making his living.” However, White warned Alhassan that, “If he so much as sneezes during the wrong time,” or tried to contact his alleged victims, he would be sent to jail.
One of the alleged victim’s mothers said she was disappointed that Alhassan would no longer have to wear a GPS monitor. “These monitoring devices are intended to supervise the conduct of a person who has broken the law … and to reduce any incentive they may have to violate the conditions of their release or to commit any new crime,” she said. “Releasing the device has made the victims and their families not feel safe. Our law system is to adhere to protect and serve.”
Prior to this decision, the victim’s mother said her family had been contacted from a private investigator working on behalf of Alhassan. She stated that this individual tried to elicit sympathy for Alhassan and his situation regarding the GPS monitor.
At this time of writing, Alhassan’s fighter profile remains on UFC.com. In late October Alhassan’s name was also available on a list of fighters sent to journalists to vote on with regards for the UFC’s official rankings.
The UFC has not responded to Bloody Elbow’s repeated requests for comment regarding Alhassan’s indictment or clarification regarding his place on the UFC’s active roster. The promotion has also been asked whether they knew Alhassan was out on bail when he fought at UFC 228.
Abdul Razak Alhassan is considered innocent of all charges until proven guilty.
Survivors of sexual assault can find support via the following organizations:
US – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)’s National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). RAINN also has an online chat service.
Love is Respect, 1-866-331-9474. They can also be reached via online chat or by texting LOVEIS to 22522.
End Rape on Campus (EROC), 1-424-777-EROC (3762).
Canada – Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, 1-877-232-2610.
UK – UK Says No More.
Rest of the World – International Rape Crisis Hotlines.
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