An MMA Thanksgiving: 2014 All-Turkey Team

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Josh Grispi

Having its share of negative press, the case likely needs no introduction or explanation to fans of mixed martial arts.

Grispi, a one-time mega prospect competing in World Extreme Cagefighting and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, was arrested and charged with a laundry list of heinous crimes surrounding an alleged assault that left his wife bloodied and injured.

The charges: two counts of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of violating a restraining order, animal cruelty, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, drug possession to cultivate marijuana and improper storage of a large capacity firearm and rifle or shotgun near a child. Grispi allegedly assaulted his wife twice in four days and had his dog attack her as well.

“It’s the worst case of domestic abuse I’ve ever seen,” police officer Richard Harvey told the Taunton Daily Gazette in August.

Appearing on CBS’s “Dr. Phil” to discuss the accusations, the former UFC featherweight, talking from a jailhouse phone while being incarcerated, was confronted with a list of “excuses” his wife provided for an alleged assault:

• “I’m a mouthy woman; don’t know when to shut up.”
• “Only hit me when I wouldn’t walk away.”
• “I pushed him to get really angry.”
• “I wouldn’t shut up.”
• “There’s only so much a person can take.”

“If a woman had been beaten and abused by someone and made those excuses, would those be valid excuses?” asked Dr. Phil. His true character revealed, Grispi’s answer speaks for itself: “Yes … It takes two.”

Let us be clear: As a man, it is never OK to hit a woman. It is a cowardly act and a deplorable crime. As a proud husband and father to an infant daughter, I feel extremely comfortable labeling Mr. Grispi as a turkey -- and worse -- for 2014.

Continue Reading » Melvin Guillard