A seasoned UFC welterweight fighter, Tim Means, is facing significant legal repercussions due to grave allegations of child abuse. According to reports from KOAT Action News, Means was apprehended on Tuesday evening in Tijeras, New Mexico. He has been charged with abandonment or abuse of a child.
The incident reportedly began with a verbal disagreement concerning household cleanliness between Means and his 17-year-old daughter. The situation is alleged to have escalated into a physical altercation. Court records from the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court indicate that the teenager reported that Means became aggressive, headbutting her and causing a nosebleed.
Further accusations detail that “The Dirty Bird,” as he is known, allegedly grabbed the girl by the throat, threw a potato at her face, and struck her in the head with a closed fist when she attempted to defend herself. Authorities noted visible marks on the teenager’s neck, consistent with strangulation, as well as blood around her nose and red marks on her face and cheek, indicative of being struck.
Means was released on Friday on his own recognizance, with the child abuse charge remaining as an open case according to court documents.
The fighter’s last appearance in the UFC was at UFC 307 in October 2024, where he lost to Court McGee via submission in the first round. Means, who is also a wrestling coach at Moriarty High School, has experienced a challenging period in his career, with only one win in his last six UFC bouts.
With 30 fights in the UFC welterweight division, Tim Means is one of the longest-serving fighters in the promotion’s history. His UFC record stands at 15 wins, 14 losses, and one no contest across two stints with the organization. His overall professional record is 33 wins, 17 losses, and one no contest. He has secured victories against notable fighters such as Andre Fialho, Mike Perry, and Thiago Alves.
English Translation:
UFC Veteran Arrested After Serious Child Abuse Allegations From 17-Year-Old Daughter
A seasoned UFC welterweight fighter has found himself in serious legal trouble following troubling allegations.
According to a report from KOAT Action News, UFC fighter Tim Means was arrested Tuesday night in Tijeras, New Mexico, on a charge of abandonment or abuse of a child. The report states that his 17-year-old daughter called law enforcement after a verbal dispute over household cleanliness escalated.
As per Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court records, the unnamed teenage girl reported that the quarrel turned physical, claiming Means became aggressive and headbutted her, resulting in a nosebleed.
The report further states that “The Dirty Bird” allegedly grabbed her by the throat, threw a potato at her face, and, when she tried to defend herself, struck her in the head with a closed fist.
The complaint reportedly noted visible hand and red marks on the teenager’s neck consistent with strangulation, along with blood in and around her nose from the alleged headbutt, and multiple red marks on her face and cheek indicating she had been struck.
Means was released Friday on his own recognizance (ROR), with court records indicating the charge remains listed as an open count.
Tim Means last competed at UFC 307 in October 2024, where he suffered a first-round submission loss to Court McGee. “The Dirty Bird,” who now works as a wrestling coach at Moriarty High School, has struggled for form, going 1–5 in his last six UFC appearances.
Means is among the longest-tenured fighters on the UFC welterweight roster, with 30 fights to his name, holding a record of 15–14 with one no contest across two separate runs with the promotion. He currently holds a professional record of 33–17–1 with one no contest, and owns notable wins over fighters such as Andre Fialho, Mike Perry, and Thiago Alves.
