(Photo courtesy of Eddie Manuel Photography)

London, Ontario police today revealed that they had arrested 28-year-old Las Vegas-based welterweight fighter Kasheem “The Dream” Peterson in connection with a sexual assault that occurred on the outskirts of the city southwest of Toronto at approximately 6:30 am Friday morning.

The victim, a 21-year-old woman who was not from the area and who had met Peterson prior to the alleged assault reported the attack to police over the weekend, and folowing an investigation by police the Philidelphia native was arrested and charged with sexual assault, forcible confinement and choking someone with the intent of committing sexual assault.

Peterson (3-1-1), who trains out of the TapouT Training Center in Vegas under reknowned trainer and coach Shawn Tompkins, was in London to train for an upcoming bout and to help number one UFC featherweight contender Mark Hominick prepare for his April 30 UFC 129 showdown with Jose Aldo.

Tompkins condemned the fighter’s alleged vile actions today and posted the following statement via Facebook, distancing himself and Team Tompkins from Peterson:

“Absolute[ly] horrible news. Please do not connect what Kasheem Peterson has done with us,” Tompkins wrote. “He is obviously a problem man that is out of control. This incident had absolutely nothing to do with our team. Our hearts go out to the family. I am disgusted.”

The unfortunate thing is mainstream media outlets and detractors of the sport in Ontario will likely try to connect the dots between the UFC and sexual assault, when neither has anything to do with the other. On the flip side, some might try to lump in Team Tompkins fighters like Hominick, Sam Stout and Chris Horodecki — three of the most polite and gentlemanly representatives of the sport in not only Canada, but also around the globe — with an individual like Peterson.

According to a report, Peterson was to make his first court appearance today.

Tags: Chris Horodecki,Kasheem Peterson,Mark Hominick,rape,Sam Stout,Shawn Tompkins

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Papa Smurf- May 12, 2011 at 7:09 am

Ahhh, Kasheem Peterson. I've known him for many years and I know many of his skeletons. From his early fighting days of Combat In the Cage with Ed Hsu to his intense rivalry with Charlie Joseph, Ive been around him enough to know, this story is probably true. A former personal trainer/model/wannabe actor (cameo role as an extra in "Radio") he doesn't have any money for some girl to make this a civil case against him. Plus, he's not even close to a good enough fighter to make it big. 3-2 as an ammy, and smashed in his pro debut by the only non-scrub he's fought, not gonna happen. Oh, there was that time he was almost on TUF but he failed the neurological exam. He had white spots all over his CT Scan and let me tell you, it wasn't from being a boyscout. These spots develop from excessive cocain use straight from the mouth of the doctor. And unfortunately, Kasheem was not allowed to compete on TUf. What else do I know about Kasheem? I know he worked as a paid escort, I know he was expelled from the Citadel, I know he's spent jail time for sale of narcotics. Oh, Have I said too much??? For those people who say Kasheem Peterson's a great person, he used you. Kasheem is always about himself and he was friendly to you becasue he got something from you. Admit it. This crime is unexcusable and for Shawn Tompkins to completely cuts ties that quickly, he's knows the charges aren't BS.

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ellevestar- April 14, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Mickles is right and he knows Kasheem well. Shawn wants to wash his hands? Really? no personal relationship? hhmmm kick him when he's down, fair weather friend, color me phony. The thing is, a lot of people know Kasheem was one of your hardest working, most promising fighters, he even stayed at your house for some time, and just wondering about that recent "meat delivery" on the day of the event..... Why do you wanna act now like he was a traveling fighter that was associated with diferent gyms? He left everything for a promising career that you ofered him and he gave you his all. You didn't even give him the benefit of the doubt. And by the way: why is the word rape being used? there was no rape, that's not even one of the charges. Sure, he's not saint, but he's one one of the most decent people I've had the pleasure to know.

Londongirl- April 13, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Ok I want to start off by sayin, I have met Kasheem over the last few weeks. What I have seen is a stand up man, who is trying to get his career started. As for these charges, I am not saying he is guilty and I am not saying he is innocent. But when these guys walk into a club girls flock to them. The girls throw themselves at these guys to the point where the guys have had to leave the clubs due to being very uncomfortable and not being able to enjoy their evening together. As for Shawn he is a top knotch trainer trying to help get the UFC started in Canada and I cmmend him for all his hard work and we totally appreciate everything he has done for MMA and London. Keep it up you are doing amazing. This is not the first time this girl has met up with Kasheem, read the story again. SHe also is not from London so Obv she came here to see him......RIGHT? AGain no girl deserves to be treated wrong or disrespected in any manor. At the same time you need to learn as well not to put yourself in a position for this shit to happen. As for the smart ass comment about them having a coke drug binge....really these guys get tested regularily for drugs so think things through before you throw out false accusations. I wish the both Kashemm and the girl all the best whatever the truth may be. If he is guilty he will get what he deserves and if she is telling the truth I wish her all the best in her recovery.

NY4MMA- April 13, 2011 at 3:04 pm

hes a dirtbag man. this girl i know trained with thompkins when she was in vegas and hung out with him kasheem a few times. When she told him it wasnt going down like that, he was just a straightup relentless, sending her crazy messages and shit. Next time they were sparring -kickboxing only, he traps her lead foot with his and then takes his arm across her back and throws her down and around behind him. A real shady to move. sehe told us she was rolling around the mat screaming in pain ..everyone hovered around her ..he just turned and walked away without saying a word. girl had to get acl replacement surgery

mickles@cityphilly- April 12, 2011 at 5:21 pm

I have known Kasheem Peterson for 7 years. He has been a friend, a collegue, a roommate, and one of my groomsmen. Kasheem comes from a good family and has strong value's. I know his coach moved him o Vegas and put him up in a 4 bedroom apartment. In have hung out with him and Kasheem. For him to renounce or down play his relationship is poor character in fact inhale told Kasheem that since he started trusting him his decisions and attitude had suffered. I believe Kasheems biggest fault was being out that late. I strongly believe he wouldn't place his hand on a woman, nor would he deface a woman. I would be lying if I told you he is a ladies man. However, he would flip her off way before he would
Ever place his hands off her. He had a dream to be the best professional fighter, he dropped a paying job, family, and friends behind because of a dream presented by his coach. You find out who your real friends are when push comes to shove. We will say a prayer for him and hope he is getting a fair shake. He will always have support over here. God Bless u Kasheem

London Man- April 12, 2011 at 6:47 am

Intercept440: Not all canadian girls are freaks. with that attitude the last Time you where here(if you ever have been).You must have been in a Strip joint.so you had to pay for it.

Me likey- April 12, 2011 at 5:43 am

wow, since tompkins is close to the situation and, the police have possibly questioned people at the gym, the team might have a better grasp of the situation than the general public. the fact that tompkins wants to distance himself from this and the guy accused of RAPE, i guess i can see why.

keepyahguessing- April 12, 2011 at 5:41 am

my girl likes to be choked...whats this chicks problem

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apklyon311- April 11, 2011 at 8:06 pm

KARMA. asswwhole, i hope you get what you deserve.

sakurabasear- April 11, 2011 at 7:51 pm

Wait, she's from Phili. What's she doing in London Ontario, taking a tour of the Western Football team locker room? This American is trying to get a back door deal worth big bucks...little does she know that he qualifies as lower to piss poor class in the court room.

Something's fishy here.

Innocent until proven guilty.

The Highest Primate- April 11, 2011 at 7:30 pm

This week on "TUR" :-
Joe-Son drops by to offer group advice..
Contestants practice "Ground & anal pound", "Lay & Pray for me not to kill you" & "Taking the Back-door"..
Also if the bitch gets rowdy you can always "put the hooks in"..
geez sorry for the last one.. anybody else got some? "TUR" tickles my funny bone..

mDino- April 11, 2011 at 6:46 pm

londons a crazy area he was probably piss drunk

Jesus Tapped- April 11, 2011 at 6:19 pm

@Joedirt He was probably there with him, Tompkins isn't exactly this clean cut straight edge guy he seems to want people to think he is.

tallkitchenbags- April 11, 2011 at 5:50 pm

innocent until proven guilty. if he is guilty canada should extradite the POS and let him do hard time in an american jail.

RwilsonR- April 11, 2011 at 4:09 pm

Wait, wait, wait... London is in Canada now?

intercept440- April 11, 2011 at 3:37 pm

he must not have had enough coin to purchase a drink for her, canadian chicks are freaks when they drink, all you have to do is be present and youll get a BJ at least

Joedirt- April 11, 2011 at 3:18 pm

The coach didn't even use the word "alleged" makes you wonder if they know something to jump right to that conclusion.

Bootylam- April 11, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Thank you Smitty. Yes bitches do lie but cops won't make an arrest if there's nothing there, so...

Smitty- April 11, 2011 at 3:05 pm

People are still dumb enough to force themselves on women???

Get Off Me- April 11, 2011 at 2:14 pm

@MRuss
I'm guessing Tompkins is trying to sqaush his team's association with Kasheem to avoid any potential distractions it may cause for his fighters, especially Hominick who has the biggest night of his life coming up at the end of the month.
I hope the ultra conservative T.O. media does not make a scene with this, hopefully this is a sport to them, so if Kobe can be differentiated by the rest of the LA laker players, I hope Kasheem is treated the same way in relation to Hominick, Stout and the Polish Hammer(who as you rightfully stated are all great guys).

mouthfulloffist- April 11, 2011 at 2:07 pm

Kinda not suprise...everytime Shawn is in town they go on a coke binge and wreck everything on their path....funny to see that shawn invited Kasheem to train in london and is fully ditching his proteger when he gets busted....