UFC veteran Casey Kenney arrested on kidnapping, multiple assault charges

UFC fighter Casey Kenney was arrested on Aug. 16 on a multitude of charges stemming from an alleged domestic violence altercation.

Phoenix Police officials confirmed to MMA Fighting that Kenney was arrested by Phoenix Police Fugitive Apprehension Detectives on Aug. 16 at 12 p.m. local time. He was booked on charges including kidnapping, aggravated assault (strangulation), and assault. He has since been released from custody.

Maricopa County court records show Kenney faces a total of six charges — a class 2 felony for kidnapping and a class 4 felony for assault/strangulation — and four misdemeanor charges. The harshest charge is the class 2 felony, which comes with a potential prison sentence of a minimum of four years in prison and up to 12.5 years in prison if convicted.

In July, Phoenix Police confirmed an incident that was first reported on Instagram by the alleged victim’s mother who accused Kenney of domestic violence.

In the report, police noted that they located an “adult female victim with some visible abrasions reporting a domestic violence assault. The female was treated by paramedics and interviewed by investigators. No contact was made with the suspect at that time. This case is still active.”

Maricopa County court records obtained by MMA Fighting on Wednesday revealed a probable cause statement with details surrounding the alleged altercation that led to Kenney’s arrest. The probable cause statement is listed below:

“Between the dates of 7-21-2024 at approximately 11:00 p.m. and 7-22-24 at approximately 12:14 a.m. while at the single family residence located at [address redacted], [suspect] Casey Kenney committed kidnapping, aggravated assault by strangulation and assault against [victim] Jasmine Mendez by repeatedly striking, slapping, biting, headbutting and choking [victim] Jasmine for several hours resulting in abrasions to Jasmine’s lip and discoloration to Jasmine’s arms and petechiae to Jasmine’s neck.

“Furthermore, during the 13 hours at Casey Kenney’s residence, Jasmine was incapable of escaping the residence due to Casey routinely grabbing hold of Jasmine and holding her in place during her attempts while threatening to cause more physical harm. Casey Kenney advised Jasmine Mendez that if anyone shows up he will shoot them and if her mother shows up he will shoot her in the head. Jasmine Mendez stated she desires prosecution in this matter at this time.”

There’s a status conference scheduled on Kenney’s case on Aug. 22, with a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 26.

The 33-year-old fighter hasn’t competed since 2021, when he suffered a loss to Song Yadong at UFC 265. Kenney started with the promotion back in 2019, and while he’s still listed on UFC’s website, his status says “not fighting.”

UPDATE: UFC confirmed to MMA Fighting on Wednesday that Kenney has been released from his UFC contract.