Antoni Hardonk Stops Mugging in Los Angeles

There are a lot of pretty ignorant people out there that insist on calling MMA fighters thugs, acting as if they're criminals themselves. Once again, however, an MMA fighter has proven that they are anything but. First, the background.

Is it smart to refuse to give your money to three young men, including one with a utility knife, when they demand it? Probably not. Then again, UFC heavyweight fighter Antoni Hardonk is not your normal near-victim of a mugging.

“I’ve worked security in the clubs and had some incidents there when people are fighting and you have to break up a fight, or somebody’s drunk and you have to guide them out, but this time, they wanted to have my money, they wanted to rob me, and that was a new experience for me,” Hardonk told UFC.com regarding an incident that took place approximately two weeks ago when he met up with three men in Los Angeles. “First they asked if I had some change so I looked in my wallet. They said they needed some help, and asked if I could help them out. I don’t mind helping people, so I took a look. Then suddenly the tone in their voice changed and they said ‘gimme your money.’

Eventually, the trio left after some tense moments. But then Hardonk amazingly saw them looking to mug someone else later on. And instead of walking away, as many might have, he intervened, knocking one of the men over and breaking off the blade of his utility knife in the process. Hardonk then took chase after them when they fled. Though he was unable to catch the fleeing assailants, the victim's wallet was luckily recovered during the scramble.

So does that sound like a thug to you? Great job by Antoni Hardonk.