FORMER MMA fighter Javier Baez fought off a knife-wielding attacker last week.
Baez, 34, had been out for Halloween when he was confronted in a car park in Miami.
@baezunbreakable/CENJavier Baez was attacked while in his car in Miami[/caption]
CENThe former MMA star tackled his attacker to the ground[/caption]
CENBaez later discussed the incident[/caption]
At around 4am local time, Baez was sat in his car when a man, later identified as Omar Marrero, allegedly began banging on his window.
Marrero is then claimed to have attempted to enter Baez’s car via the driver’s door.
As Baez got out of the car, Marrero is alleged to have produced another knife.
The former fighter then tackled his attacker to the ground, holding him down in a chokehold before calling the police.
Discussing the incident with CBS, Baez said: “Guy was out there screaming on the phone, literally was fighting for a while with some woman.
“He tapped on my door window. I told him to leave me alone, and then he came at me with a knife.
“I told him to leave me alone. I’m calling the cops. I hope he doesn’t break my window. That’s all I cared about.”
Baez then added: “When you train so many times, it becomes just a reflex.
“Once it came to that, it’s all instincts. I couldn’t do much but just react.
“I’ve been training my whole life — black belt jiu-jitsu, wrestled in college, I’ve got eight pro fights, MMA masters. I’ve got great training partners.”
As per Miami-Dade County jail records, Marrero is facing charges of either burglary with assault or battery and aggravated battery.
Baez boasted a pro record of 5-2-1 during his pro MMA career.
He last fought in 2018, losing to Diego Silva via rear naked choke.
CENThe suspect has been named as 50-year-old Omar Marrero[/caption]