NEWS
UFC fighter Tim Means' child abuse charge dismissed
42-year-old fighter has denied allegations he hit teenage daughter in altercation in their home
Published
An April child abuse charge against New Mexico UFC fighter Tim Means was dismissed last week, according to court records.
The 鈥渘olle prosequi鈥� filed in Metro Court by the District Attorney鈥檚 Office cites a 鈥渘onappearance of witness at preliminary鈥� as the reason for the dismissal, though it doesn鈥檛 state which witness failed to show up for the June 15 preliminary hearing for a felony child abuse charge that was filed against the 42-year-old Means in April.
It is unclear whether the 2nd Judicial District Attorney鈥檚 Office plans to refile the charge, as the case was dismissed with prejudice.
Means was arrested April 22 at his Tijeras home after deputies with the Bernalillo County Sheriff鈥檚 Office stated his teenage daughter reported he had headbutted her, punched her and tried choking her during an argument that stemmed from a fight about housecleaning.
Means, according to the criminal complaint, told police the night they arrived that while there was a physical altercation, 鈥渢he only physical thing that occurred was that he was trying to restrain (the daughter) from hitting him. Timothy stated he did not physically hit her, and he only tried to keep his hands higher than her chest when trying to restrain her,鈥� which may have accounted for markings on her neck.
The deputy鈥檚 report stated that 鈥渄ue to the totality of the investigation, statements made and the physical markings on鈥� the teenage daughter, Means would be charged with child abuse. The report indicated the girl had marks on her neck and blood on and in her nose.
Means, nicknamed 鈥淒irty Bird,鈥� has fought professionally since 2004, compiling a 33-17-1 record 鈥� 15-14 in UFC competition. He has lost five of his most recent fights and has not fought since Oct. 5, 2024.
Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) .
