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By Suzie Ziegler
PORTAGE, Ind. — A former MMA fighter put his martial arts skills to the test this week when he stopped to help a police officer under attack, NBC Chicago reported.
William Cassoday, who is also a trainer in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, was driving when he saw a man try to punch Officer Jamison Smith, according to the Olean Times Herald. Cassoday says he carefully approached Smith’s line of sight, so as to not surprise the officer. The suspect, 37-year-old Christopher Delgado, noticed the newcomer and repositioned himself. That’s when Cassoday made his move.
“I just did a little drag so that his body would turn and I put him in what we call a rear naked choke and just tighten it up dropped him to the ground,” Cassoday told NBC Chicago. “He couldn’t do anything because I was squeezing on his neck and then he kinda felt like he went limp for a second and so I loosened it up.”
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Cassoday restrained Delgado until Smith was able to place the handcuffs. Police said Delgado had been wanted on an outstanding warrant for auto theft. Delgado was charged with felony battery of a police officer resulting in bodily injury and misdemeanor resisting law enforcement and false informing, the report said.
The Porter County Sheriff’s Office thanked Cassoday for stepping in and said he would be honored soon, the Olean Times Herald reported.
Smith suffered swelling to his face but is expected to be OK. In another twist of fate, Cassoday later realized he knew Smith, who is a friend of the family.
Cassoday has been training MMA on and off for 13 years and has a brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu, according to NBC Chicago.
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