Ex-TUF fighter Uscola faces prison on domestic violence conviction
In 2010, Kyacey Uscola was selected to compete on the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter. As Uscola explained it at the time, it was his last chance to turn his journeyman-like career into something more serious. And this time, he had a real motivation: family. His first child was about to be born, and he was to miss the birth after leaving for Las Vegas to tape the show.
But when he got his opportunity, it fizzled quickly, losing twice during the course of the tournament. He never got an opportunity to officially fight in a UFC Octagon, and now his life has taken a regrettable turn for the worst.
According to Sacramento’s ABC News 10, Uscola was found guilty of domestic violence charges that could net him up to 13 years in prison.
A Sacramento Superior Court jury found him guilty on three charges in relation to an attack on the mother of his child: battery on a spouse or cohabitant, battery with serious bodily injury and corporal injury on a cohabitant.
The attack, which took place on June 15, 2013, was so violent that it led to a life-threatening laceration to the victim’s pancreas, district attorney spokesperson Shelly Orio told News 10. The victim also had eight broken ribs, a punctured lung, an orbital fracture and two lumbar fractures.
Uscola had previously been arrested for another domestic violence charge. In Jan. 2011, he was arrested and charged with two felony counts relating to domestic violence, according to public court records. He ultimately pled no contest to a misdemeanor count and served 90 days in a work program along with receiving a three-year probation term.
According to Urijah Faber, who once welcomed Uscola into his Team Alpha Male gym, that incident forced him to cut ties with the middleweight.
“He came in; he seemed to be on track for a little bit,” Faber told News 10. “But I think he had those demons. It was really heartbreaking to hear. Kyacey has to be a man for what he’s done.”
His sentencing is set for Feb. 14.
In a career that spanned a decade, the 32-year-old posted a record of 21-24. During his career he’s fought notables including Chael Sonnen, Gegard Mousasi and Kyle Noke, though his most notable win is a knockout over former WEC light-heavyweight champion Doug “Rhino” Marshall. Uscola has not competed since Feb. 2013, when a loss to Jason South extended his losing streak to eight straight.
