---
title: "Once A Promising UFC Fighter, This Air Force Vet Can’t Stop Getting Arrested"
date: "2017-02-13"
modified: "2017-02-13"
authors:
  - name: "Sarah Sicard"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/sarahsicard.md"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/promising-ufc-fighter-air-force-vet-cant-stop-getting-arrested/"
categories:
  - "Air Force"
  - "Around the World"
  - "Military Branches"
  - "News"
  - "United States"
tags:
  - "justice"
---

# Once A Promising UFC Fighter, This Air Force Vet Can’t Stop Getting Arrested

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/04/19038788-1.png>)

Things don't look like they can get much worse for Daniel Barrera, the Air Force veteran who made a career as a cantankerous scrapper on the sixth season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

After being arrested for a misdemeanor assault of a high school wrestler last week, he was charged with making “terroristic threats” against a fellow UFC alum and imprisoned for the third time in a week.

The police report indicates that Barrera walked into wrestling practice at Pahoa High School in Hawaii, came up behind a girl as she was in a wrestler’s position on hands and knees, and struck her three times on the back with an open palm, [according to The Hawaii Tribune-Herald](<https://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/mma-fighter-accused-assaulting-girl-grappler>).

After being released on bail twice in the previous week, Barrera made a “terroristic threat” against Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas; former UFC welterweight and lightweight champion BJ Penn; Penn’s older brother, JD Penn; and police officers whom Barrera claimed beat him up.

On Feb. 5, Barrera was also removed from court after making a scene, screaming and yelling at all those present.

Barrera served for six years as a firefighter in the Air Force. It was during his time in that he began boxing. A wrestler in high school, he became one of the military’s best boxers with a 13-3 record that included a close loss to Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward. He fell in love with MMA and found fame shortly after separating.

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