Michael “The Count” Bisping is being sued by a teenager, who claims the UFC Champion choked him at an Anaheim gym in July.
TMZ was first to break the story. Antonio Georgakopoulos, 19, is accusing Bisping of assault, battery and false imprisonment in the alleged incident, which occurred at a 24-Hour Fitness gym.
According to the complaint filed Monday in California Superior Court in Orange County by attorney Gavril T. Gabriel, Georgakopolous was working out with a friend and turned to pick up weights a few feet away. The friend heard Bisping yell at Georgakopoulous for taking his weights. He called Georgakopolous an “idiot,” “you little punk,” and said, “you don’t know who I am!”
Bisping allegedly extended his arm and choked Georgakopoulous for “two to three seconds,” cutting off respiration and blood flow. “A larger man” quickly stepped in to separate them, but according to the complaint, Bisping wanted to take the issue outside. Eventually, the 24-Hour Fitness staff got involved and managed to break everything up.
Antonio claims the Anaheim Police Department was called to the gym and Bisping was arrested for assault and battery. But Anaheim PD public information officer Sgt. Daron Wyatt told TMZ that in fact no arrest was made. Investigation into the incident was submitted to the City Attorney’s office and “it was determined there was insufficient evidence to file a criminal case,” Wyatt said.
Still, Antonio says he’s had to see doctors for his injuries and now suffers from nightmares and anxiety as a result of the alleged attack. He’s suing for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and more. TMZ made multiple attempts to reach Bisping’s camp but have not received any reply.
Bisping, who has been UFC middleweight champ since June 2016 will defend his title against returning former champion Georges St-Pierre in the main event of UFC 217 at Madison Square Garden, in what is expected to be the biggest fight card of 2017.
What do you make of these allegations?
Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
