MMA's Ricco Suave Arrested for Assault

Mixed martial arts fighter Ricco 'Suave' Rodriguez has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a taxi cab driver and resisting arrest.

According to Phoenix Police, the 33-year-old was arrested over the weekend after an incident with a cab driver in Ahwatukee, south of Phoenix.

Last Sunday, Rodriguez commissioned a cab driver to take him to a bar in Ahwatukee called the Garage.

When the cab fare came to $70, Rodriguez allegedly refused to give the driver more than $20. They got into an argument and the cab driver called 911.

Rodriguez grabbed the man and tossed him to the ground, according to police. When officers tried to take him into custody, he allegedly pushed one of them into a wall.

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He's a big guy -- according to his jail booking information, Rodriguez is 6'2" and 235 lbs.

Police say it took two Phoenix Police officers and an off-duty officer to get him under control.

"It's our policy to handcuff behind -- that did not occur. He was struggling with the officers, flailing his arms... one of the officers was pushed against the wall, and we believe at that point he sustained a minor injury or cut to his elbow," says Sgt. Steve Martos.

Rodriguez is facing charges of assault and resisting arrest. He is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion and currently competes in MMA.

Rodriguez also had a brief stint on VH1's reality show Celebrity Rehab.

For more stories from KSAZ in Phoenix, Arizona, go to myfoxphoenix.com.