(Well . . . . . . . Is a mugshot really necessary?)

By Nathan Smith

If you Google search the phrase “alpha male back door,” the results include things about a jealous monkey attacking a man as well as something about a she-male’s back door.  You can thank me later for not linking the Potato Nation to the latter, but former #1 contender Chad Mendes, a member of Team Alpha Male, is being sought by Hanford, California authorities after he “allegedly sucker punched a patron in the face and took off running out the back door” according to the Hanford Sentinel.

As many as 40 people were involved in an inebriated fracas (or as I like to call it – a SHITSTORM) at the Lacy Inn Bar.  By all accounts, a police officer was on patrol and drove past the business where he/she witnessed two men fighting.  When the cop stopped to break up the scuffle, one of the combatants turned their aggression towards the officer.  When Johnny Law called for back-up, a multitude of presumably drunken patrons came spilling out of the bar like they were entering a big box electronics store on Black Friday.  I thought this shit only happened in old Clint Eastwood movies starring an orangutan.

A Pier 6 brawl ensued until more police (as well as the Gang Task Force Unit) arrived to break up the awesomeness.  According to the authorities, Mendes was recognized and was said to be visibly intoxicated as he “began cursing at the deputies and officers” before he was asked to vacate the premises. Instead of leaving, though, he went back into the watering hole.  Then (this is when it gets real good), reportedly, Mendes decked a guy that “never saw it coming” and ran out the back door of the presumably high-class establishment.  Cops chased him behind the bar along a set of railroad tracks but could not keep up with the highly conditioned professional athlete because running hills with Urijah Faber is better for your cardio than a jelly.  Mendes has not been seen since.

The Sheriff’s Office has been trying to reach Mendes for questioning but their attempts have been unproductive.  Mendes is sought for questioning and if he does not materialize by Monday, the District Attorney’s Office will be requested to file formal charges against the UFC fighter and an arrest warrant could be issued.  Because of his MMA instruction and professional fighting skill-set, Mendes could be charged with assault with a deadly weapon.  Though Mendes is still M.I.A. – four people were arrested at the scene of the brawl for public intoxication, no police officers were reportedly injured and the case remains open as investigation continues.  We’ll keep you updated as the story unfolds.

***UPDATE***

According to Yahoo Sports, Chad Mendes has released a response to the allegations through his management team MMA Inc.

“On Friday afternoon, Chad Mendes was shocked and surprised by the allegations contained in an article published on an Internet news site. While Chad acknowledges that an incident occurred last Saturday in Hanford, he contends that the majority of the facts pertaining to him in the story are absolutely false.  Attempts were immediately made by Chad’s representatives to contact personnel at the Sheriff’s Department on Friday afternoon. Despite these repeated attempts, Chad’s representatives have not received any response from the Sheriff’s Department as of the time of this release.  Chad denies any wrongdoing and is very upset by the allegations contained in the story. He will fully cooperate with the Sheriff’s Department and looks forward to clearing his name.”

Because Mendes is currently in Ohio serving as a corner man for Team Alpha Male colleague, Lance Palmer at UVC 20, he will return home after the event to contact the Sherrif’s Department in Kings County and attempt to straighten-out the allegations.