MMAJunkie:
UFC middleweight powerhouse Maiquel Falcao (26-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is currently being detained in Pelotas, Brazil, by local authorities.
The Brazilian native was detained after a warrant for his arrest was issued in relation to a 2002 assault charge.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) confirmed with Falcao's management that the fighter is currently incarcerated, though the Chute Boxe product hopes to be released as soon as today.
The arrest was first reported by Brazilian news site Diario Popular.
According to Falcao's camp, the Brazilian was ordered in 2002 to serve a 24-month house-arrest sentence. After eight months, Falcao moved to a new home, though his lawyer advised him that the Brazilian authorities would have no issue with him completing the sentence in a new location.
Today, Falcao returned to his hometown, as he reportedly has several times since 2002, but authorities elected to take him into custody.
"Big Rig" is expected to discuss the matter with MMAjunkie.com immediately following his release. His camp did insist the matter was unlikely to affect his octagon career.
Falcao has been fighting professionally in his native country since 2004. In November, the knockout artist earned a controversy-filled unanimous-decision win over Gerald Harris at "UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida."
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