Former UFC middleweight and light-heavyweight contender, Karl Roberson, has been in the headlines recently, but not for reasons related to his MMA career. It has been reported that Roberson was arrested this weekend in connection with a residential burglary that took place in December 2023.
Roberson was arrested in his hometown of Neptune following a motor vehicle stop, where he was allegedly driving a vehicle connected to the burglary.
During the search of the vehicle, items related to the burglary were found, implicating him further. Roberson has been charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief, possession of controlled dangerous s ubstances, and several weapons offenses.
Several former and current UFC veterans, including Isaac Vallie-Flagg, have commented on the news. Vallie-Flagg expressed hope that the arrest could lead to a positive change for Roberson. However, no official comments have been made by the UFC regarding the incident.
Roberson’s last appearance in the octagon was in July 2022, where he lost to Kennedy Nzechukwu in the third round of their light-heavyweight bout.
They allegedly stole over $200,000 in “exotic jewelry”.
This loss marked his fourth consecutive defeat in the UFC, with his previous losses coming from Khalil Rountree Jr, Brendan Allen, and Marvin Vettori, all finishing him before the final buzzer.
Despite this recent form, Roberson had a reasonable UFC record of 4-6 during his nearly five-year stint with the promotion.
He signed a contract with the UFC following his stoppage of current light-heavyweight contender Ryan Spann on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017.
One of his most significant bouts was with future 205lbs titleholder Glover Teixeira, which he lost via submission in the first round with an arm triangle.