The American fighter claims a “group of armed men” tried to shoot him while he was outside his mother’s house in Florida.
Ramon Taveras is an active UFC bantamweight who gained a contract after appearing on Dana Whites Contender Serries, dismantling Cortavious Romious in just 29 seconds. The Jacksonville man then made his official promotional debut on the UFC 297: Strickland vs Du Plessis prelims in January of this year, defeating Serhiy Sidney via split decision.
Taveras was set to return to the octagon two weeks ago but had to pull out due to injury in a bout which had him scheduled to face Irishman Caolan Loughran on the UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammed prelims.
The 30-year-old released footage to social media which was captured by his doorbell camera, showing an incident which occurred on 29 July, in which a car drove by and opened fire on him as he left the house he was in.
The 10-2 professional fighter took to Instagram to talk about the traumatic event
“It’s unfortunate that I even have to make a post like this, but I cannot let this be swept under the rug,” Taveras said
“Monday, July 29, 2024, at 10:05 pm, a group of armed men drove up on me at my mother’s house and tried to take my life.
“By the grace of God, I made it out with no injuries and was able to grab my own firearm and return fire in self-defense.
“This city is unforgiving, and it’s worse that JSO does nothing to correct the problem.
“I lost my brother in 2019 due to gun violence, and his killers are yet to be caught. Now I find myself almost in the same situation.
“JSO did the bare minimum for my brother and is now doing the same for me.
“They assumed I was targeted due to ‘gang violence’ or a problem I caused. I don’t bother anyone, I stay in my own lane, I focus on my career and family.
“Even after explaining this, they continued to insinuate that I was involved in something that brought this outcome upon myself. Nobody is perfect, and everyone has a past.
“However, I have changed significantly from who I was ten years ago. For such an incident to occur out of nowhere is alarming.
“It makes me view my life and family through an entirely different lens. This is a daily reality in my city; I am not the first, nor will I be the last.
“I am tired of remaining silent about my brother’s case, and I refuse to let this incident slide either.
“Many other families in my city have endured similar situations, crying out for justice just as my family is.
“My family feels unsafe, and I fear for my children, who nearly lost their father the person striving to change their lives.
“It is tragic that I have so much love for my city, yet I am compelled to leave.
“I will use this situation to speak out against the ineffectiveness of JSO and their disregard for the less fortunate parts of the city.
“They seem indifferent to whether lives are lost or at risk. I am sick of it! This could have been a memorial post; I could have lost my life just like my brother, or somebody else could have lost theirs trying to take mine.
“I am done being silent. I ask for your support in spreading this message as far as we can. I am blessed and happy to be alive, but I’m leaving duval.”
