Chad Mendes Wanted for Questioning in Bar Fight

Chad "Money" Mendes is apparently wanted for questioning by Hanford, Calif. local authorities following a 40-man brawl at Lacey Inn Bar where it was alleged Mendes blind-sided a punter, leaving his victim bruised.

Reported by the Hanford Sentinel (via BloodyElbow.com):

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Mendes, 27, allegedly sucker punched a patron in the face and took off running out the back door. Officials say they have not been able to locate him.

[After breaking up a different fight] authorities recognized Mendes. He appeared to be intoxicated and began cursing at the deputies and officers, authorities said. They asked him to leave. Instead, he went back inside and struck one man who "never even saw him coming," Assistant Sheriff Dave Putnam said.

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As of yet, it’s not known whether or not his victim was an innocent bystander or part of the fracas.

“The victim felt lucky to walk out with just a contusion after being punched by Mendes,” Putnam said.

Thus far, Mendes has failed to make contact with the Hanford authorities, and as a consequence, a warrant for his arrest could be forthcoming.

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“If we don’t speak with him by Monday, then we’ll request that the District Attorney’s Office file charges against him,” Putnam said. “Then we can pick him up on an arrest warrant.”

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Although Mendes is being sought after, at this moment in time, said allegations have yet to be substantiated.

However, if it turns out he was in fact the perpetrator of the crime, because of his mixed martial arts background, the assumption is that he could be looking at a hefty fine or even worse, jail time.

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“With his training as a professional fighter, he could be looking at a charge of assault with a deadly weapon,” Putnam said. “That’s something the District Attorney’s Office will have to weigh out when they make their filing decision.”

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Mendes’ (12-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) last outing was a 31-second blitzing of Cody McKenzie back at UFC 148.

Prior to the aforementioned  fight, the 145-pounder suffered an opening stanza knockout to current UFC featherweight titlist Jose “Scarface” Aldo in the main event of UFC 142, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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