MMA Fighter Attacked & Injured With Samurai Sword Refused to Testify

A story that seems more suited for a screenplay than the annals of professional sports; details have emerged about a violent 2022 assault on MMA legend Yoel Romero that involved a car, a sword, and a stunning courtroom twist. The incident, which remained largely unknown to the public until July 2025, culminated in the acquittal of Romero's alleged attacker after the famed fighter refused to testify against him.

The bizarre sequence of events reportedly began in January 2022 at the renowned American Top Team gym in Coconut Creek, Florida. An altercation between Romero and another fighter, former Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship competitor Ariel Blas, escalated from a gym dispute into a life-threatening confrontation in the parking lot. According to the initial police report, Blas attempted to strike Romero with his car. When that maneuver failed, he allegedly retrieved a sword from his vehicle and attacked the "Soldier of God."

Romero sustained injuries in the attack, most notably a damaged tendon in his arm. The severity of the incident led to the arrest of Blas, who was subsequently charged with attempted second-degree murder. Given the violent nature of the alleged crime and the high profile of the victim, a conviction seemed probable.

However, when the case proceeded to a jury trial in December 2024, it took a baffling turn. The prosecution's case hinged on the testimony of the victim, Yoel Romero. Despite being present for the court proceedings, Romero, a man known for his intimidating presence and devout faith, refused to take the stand to testify against Blas.

Without the cooperation of its star witness, the prosecution's case effectively collapsed. The jury, left with insufficient evidence to convict, acquitted Ariel Blas of all charges. The outcome highlights a critical, if sometimes frustrating, element of the American justice system: the necessity of victim cooperation. Romero’s silence rendered the state powerless to pursue the conviction.

Remarkably, Romero's resilience was on full display following the attack. Despite the significant arm injury, he competed in two professional MMA fights later in 2022, winning both by knockout and maintaining his status as a top-tier competitor. To this day, both Yoel Romero and Ariel Blas have remained entirely silent on the incident, the trial, and the reasons behind the refusal to testify. The MMA community has been left to speculate on motives, ranging from a personal code of conduct to other unknown factors. What is known for certain is that this strange and violent chapter, ending not with a verdict but with a mystery, stands as one of the most unusual stories in combat sports history.

‍