Arrest warrant issued for MMA fighter Choi Hong-man

October 26, 2015
Choi Hong-man

Choi Hong-man

Prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for mixed martial arts fighter Choi Hong-man on Monday for allegedly not repaying millions of won to acquaintances.

Choi, 35, has ignored summonses several times.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the former traditional Korean wrestling “ssireum” champion allegedly borrowed one million won (about $900) from a friend, surnamed Park, in Hong Kong in December 2013.

Choi also borrowed 25 million won (about $22,500) from another friend, surname Moon, last October.

Moon and Park took legal action against Choi for fraud after he failed to repay the money on time. Moon later withdrew his claim.

Choi has been staying in Japan, local reports say.

Choi, who stands 7 feet 2 inches tall, debuted in K-1 in 2005 to become a top-level fighter. His most notable win came against K-1 legend Bob Sapp at the K-1 Grand Prix in Osaka in 2005. In his most recent fight on July 25 in Japan, he was knocked out in the first round by Carlos Toyota.