Josh Neer posts video of gym beating after reported challenge

Josh Neer

Veteran welterweight Josh Neer is making headlines today after posting a video that shows him violently beating a man he said had repeatedly challenged him to fight.

Neer, 31, called the man, named in a report as Patrick Smith, a “moron” who’d “been talking shit about MMA fighters for a month” to him on Facebook and asking to fight. Neer told BloodyElbow.com he relented after more messages and invited Smith to his gym.

He provided shapshots of Smith’s messages. He said Smith requested to fight him rather than a larger sparring partner and that he posted the video after Smith continued to message him after their encounter.

The clip shows Neer repeatedly elbowing an apparently unconscious Smith and then kicking him in the head after others intervened to stop the beating. It appears Smith is defenseless when the final blow lands.

MMA gyms frequently require individuals to sign waivers that release the gym from legal liability before they participate in any activity; it is unknown whether Smith did. Still, professional fighters can be held to a different standard in fights that take place outside the ring or cage, as they possess training that can potentially be lethal.

The Urbandale (Iowa) Police Department told MMAjunkie there were no current cases involving a professional MMA fighter, and the county’s attorney said that unless a victim stepped forward, there is unlikely to be prosecution stemming from the incident.

“We rely on police to investigate matters, and bring them forward to us,” said Polk County Attorney John P. Sarcone. “Until such time as they bring something to us or there’s a complaint filed by a victim, we just don’t go out and file criminal charges based on videos.

“If a victim comes forward, and there’s evidence sufficient to go forward with a criminal charge, we do. I haven’t seen video, so we’ll see if a victim comes forward and says something about it.”

Neer (36-14-1) most recently fought under the Bellator banner, losing via decision to Paul Bradley at this past October’s Bellator 129. Repeated requests for Neer’s contractual status with the promotion were not returned.