This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
An Ogden man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, for allegedly cutting another man in the leg after the victim refused to participate in a spontaneous mixed martial arts battle in Jordan Park.
According to court documents filed in 3rd District Court, the 21-year-old approached a man attending a family reunion in the Glendale park on Saturday and asked if he wanted to challenge him for a $300 fee.
When the man refused, the would-be-warrior allegedly began calling the man out and arguing with other family members nearby. The victim told police that the 21-year-old then raised his arms as if he were going to hit him, so he punched the freelance fighter in the face.
The 21-year-old responded by hitting the man in his leg, leaving a three-inch cut, charges state. Salt Lake City police later approached the 21-year-old, who allegedly said without any prodding from officers that he "didn't slice that guy's leg." Police found a red backpack near the 21-year-old that had a box cutter with a detached blade in one of the pockets, charges state. Police allege the man also had a razor in his pants pocket.