Former UFC star Karl Roberson was in Hollywood, Florida on Saturday night, as likely confirmed by the geolocation data collected by his ankle monitor.
Roberson, who was arrested on burglary charges in New Jersey two years earlier, lost a bareknuckle boxing match to another former MMA standout in Oluwale ‘The Holy War Angel’ Bamgbose on Saturday. But that aside, it was the bulky equipment protruding from Roberson’s white sock that ignited interest on social media.
‘Hahaha. Love it!’ one fan wrote on X after the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) 82 – an event headlined by ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry’s TKO win over Jeremy ‘Lil Heathen’ Stephen.
‘Lmaooo classy,’ another added.
Roberson was arrested in his native Neptune City, New Jersey on felony charges of burglary, theft, and criminal mischief following a traffic stop in March of 2023. A search of his vehicle revealed a defaced 9-millimeter handgun as well as small packages of crack cocaine and marijuana, as well as items related to a December 2022 burglary in nearby Howell, New Jersey.
An estimated $200,000 in custom jewelry was taken from the home, according to police.
No, that’s not an ankle weight tethered around Karl Roberson’s ankle at the weigh-in
There is no kicking in bareknuckle boxing, so Bamgbose wasn’t at any risk from the ankle tag
New Jersey’s Karl Roberson has his hands wrapped prior to a 2022 UFC fight in Las Vegas
Although he initially pleaded not guilty, court records obtained by Daily Mail show he changed his plea to guilty in May of 2024 before being sentenced to five years in the custody of New Jersey’s Department of Corrections on charges of theft by unlawful taking and unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit.
It’s unclear if Roberson was granted parole and if so, what the terms of that sentencing are. Daily Mail has reached out to Roberson’s attorney and BKFC for clarification.
Once a rising MMA prospect at middleweight, Roberson won his first six UFC fights before submitting to Cezar Ferreira in May of 2018. However, he won only three of his final 10 UFC fights, leading to his release in July of 2022.
The robbery in Howell took place five months later.
According to one combat sports fan, the Roberson’s legal situation was ‘right on brand.’
‘Karl Roberson fighting with an ankle monitor is the most BKFC thing ever,’ another joked.
BKFC is co-owned by MMA legend Conor McGregor and Triller, Inc.
