According to the Brazilian news sources AG Fight and Globo Esporte Amapá, ex-UFC MMA pro Raulian Paiva has been arrested in Brazil.
Paiva was reportedly arrested for “committing physical and verbal aggression against his wife in the municipality of Santana, in the metropolitan region of Macapá.” According to reports, the event occurred on January 23rd.
Paiva’s wife Vanilza Santos told police that Paiva had forced her out of the house and told her, “I’m going to kill you and throw your things in the street.”
She said that Paiva rushed towards her vehicle but “stopped after realizing that she was accompanied by a friend, who witnessed what happened.”
She said that three days before the event, Paiva had “physically and psychologically assaulted” her. According to the article, a witness confirmed her claims.
Paiva was released after posting a R$ 2,000 (approximately $393 USD) bail.
Paiva resorted to his Instagram Stories to deny the crime. He informed police that the relationship has “always been difficult and with records of verbal abuse.”
He also refuted the claims in an interview with Globo Esporte Amapá, stating:
“The threats and aggressions are a lie. We had an argument and in a moment of fury, my wife went to the police station and filed a complaint with a hot head. But we’ve sorted it out and we’re fine.”
According to Paiva’s Instagram posts, his wife gave birth to their kid in early December.
After consecutive defeats by Sean O’Malley and Sergey Morozov, Paiva was removed from the UFC on January 18. He was initially given his UFC contract after defeating Allan Nascimento on DWCS in 2018.
Elber Nunes Zacheu received a 16-year jail term in December 2022 for killing Tieli Alves, Paiva’s then-girlfriend. According to MMA Fighting, he was also accused of attempted murder at Paiva.
“Paiva stopped his motorcycle at a red light and was hit by the car. Alves’ helmet went off on the fall, and she was dragged by the car for ‘at least 65 feet.’ Alves died six days later.”
Paiva told MMA Fighting:
“That’s not enough time for what he did, the crime he committed, but justice is being done. Justice is flawed in Brazil, but I hope he pays for what he did. We can’t do anything else. We’re happy he’ll be in prison. Not for long, but he will be in prison. Nothing will bring Tieli back to life, but at least he’ll stay in prison for 16 years.”