Mixed martial arts fighter Thiago Silva granted bond

Prosecutors say Brazilian national accused of threatening to kill wife poses flight risk

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Mixed martial arts fighter Thiago Silva sat pensively throughout Friday's hearing as his lawyer tried to get him released from jail.

Prosecutors claimed the jiu-jitsu expert was a flight risk because he is a Brazilian national and there is no U.S. extradition. They also said he posed a threat to his wife.

Thaysa Silva agreed.

"Yes, I am very sure if he gets out he is going to kill me," she said through a translator.

Thiago Silva is in jail after he threatened to kill his wife in early February, deputies allege.

"He put a pistol on my head and threw me on the sofa," the translator for Thaysa Silva said.

Deputies said Thiago Silva also threatened to kill his former trainer, Pablo Popovitch, because he was having an affair with Thaysa Silva.

Fabianna Popovitch testified that she is no longer friends with Thaysa Silva because of her nearly two-year extramarital affair.

Silva had dozens of friends and MMA fighters in his corner, including Rashad Evans, the 2008 Ultimate Fighting Championship world champion.

Scott Saul, Silva's attorney, said his client has deep roots in the community. Silva himself even testified he had no family in Brazil.

"Because my dad used to beat me when I was a kid, you know, so I left my house because I couldn't take it anymore," Silva told the judge.

In the end, the judge sided with Silva and set his bond at $25,000.

Saul said his client should have been granted bond a month ago.

As part of his conditions for bond, Silva must wear an electronic monitoring device, turn over his passport and train in Palm Beach County.