Prosecutors have dismissed the child abuse charge against UFC fighter Tim Means.
On Monday, the Bernalillo County (N.M.) District Attorney’s office dropped the charge after a witness did not appear in court, records confirmed after an initial report by New Mexico local news outlet KRQE.
The charge was dismissed without prejudice via nolle prosequi, meaning the DA’s office could refile.
Means, 42, was arrested April 22 after police said he head-butted his 17-year-old daughter, grabbed her by the throat, threw a potato at her face, and punched her.
Means told police he only grabbed his daughter in order to stop her from attacking him. The altercation stemmed from an argument over house chores in Tijeras, N.M.
“Let it be known that there were visible hand and red marks on neck, indicating she was strangled,” the police complaint reportedly stated. “There was blood on and in her nose where she was head-butted and several red marks indicated she was hit in the face and on her cheek.”
Nicknamed “The Dirty Bird”, Means (33-17-1 MMA, 15-14 UFC) is one of the longest-tenured fighters on the UFC roster. He hasn’t competed since October 2024, when he lost to Court McGee in what was his 30th promotional appearance. Means is in his second stint with the promotion, one that’s lasted since 2014.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC fighter has child abuse charge dismissed
