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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
In a sad post-script to a career filled with missed opportunity and disappointment, former WEC Champ Brian Bowles is currently in jail in Jackson County, Georgia, on a series of drug charges.
The 34-year-old was arrested on January 14 as police were attempting to find and serve another suspect near the area. Here's how police described the situation on their Facebook page:
"The Sheriff's Office responded to Bowles residence on Stoner Road in Arcade, Georgia in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant on a wanted female possibly at this location. This particular female was not located however; Investigators found Moon and discovered she did have an outstanding Probation Warrant. After a search of the immediate area Investigators found a quantity of methamphetamine. A Search Warrant was executed at the residence and a quantity of marijuana, other narcotics, a gun and numerous packaging materials were also located within the home. Moon and Bowles were both arrested and transported to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Moon has been charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Schedule IV Drug, Possession of Schedule IV Drug with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime. Bowles is charged with the same. Both are currently incarcerated."
The "schedule IV" drug in question was the painkiller Diazepam, more commonly known under the brand name Valium.
Bowles won the WEC Bantamweight Title in 2009 when he knocked out Miguel Torres, but lost the belt a fight later to Dominick Cruz when he broke his hand and couldn't continue after the second round.
He was out for a year before making his UFC debut, and he would go 2-1 in three quick appearances in 2011. The loss was particularly one-sided against Urijah Faber at UFC 139 that November, and then he wouldn't appear again until UFC 160 in May of 2013.
More trouble would follow, as he was popped for an elevated T/E ratio following a TKO loss to George Roop on the card, leading to a nine month suspension. He hasn't fought since.
Penick's Analysis: Honestly, it's just sad. Now, the "intent to sell" charges are more than likely due to the amounts of the drugs present, which doesn't necessarily mean he's been playing Nick Sobotka down there in Georgia. Still, that's not something that can be easily determined from the outside. Regardless, it's just sad to see that this is the road he's wound up on after his fighting career.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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