Cut from UFC Brasília after shooting, Riggs details episode: 'I was out of focus'

Riggs (pictured) was accidentally shot while cleaning his gun. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook

Next Saturday (13) should mark the return of veteran Joe Riggs to the UFC. After almost eight years away from the octagon, the American would return to the organization in combat against Paulo thiago at UFC Fight Night 51, in Brasília (DF). However, his return to the UFC was postponed after the fighter shoot yourself accidentally at the end of July.

Months after the incident, Riggs explained what happened in the controversial episode. He said he was distracted for a moment and ended up accidentally pulling the trigger. “I was cleaning the gun, thinking I've been a gun owner for a while, I'm not a newbie. I was sitting, reading my UFC contract, watching TV, eating blueberries, so I wasn't fully focused on disassembling the gun like I should have been. My finger must have hit the trigger and the gun went off”, detailed “Diesel”, in an interview with the website “Last Word on Sports”.

Riggs said he became desperate when he realized what had happened. “For some reason, I started running around the house like an idiot. I was naked, and with each beat of my heart, more blood splashed from my leg. I must have been in shock, because I sat on the couch thinking things were under control. When I sat up, I saw that the blood coming out of my leg was strong enough to hit me in the face. That's when I realized I had to wake up my wife. She said 'Lisa, wake up, I just shot myself, call an ambulance'. After that, I passed out,” he said.

The fighter, born in the state of Arizona, said he should fight at UFC on FOX 13, which will be held in his capital, Phoenix, on December 13th.