UFC releases Graves following October arrest for domestic violence

Months after he was charged with misdemeanor battery, Michael Graves has been released by the UFC.

The promotion pulled Graves from his November date with Sergio Moraes and provisionally suspended him following his October arrest, ultimately severing their ties with the former "TUF 21" contestant following an investigation conducted by a third party.

The promotion's statement reads as follows:

In November 2016, welterweight Michael Graves was removed from his UFC bout following his arrest in Fulton County, Florida. As a potential violation of the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy, the UFC organization temporarily barred Graves from competition pending the completion of a third-party investigation. Based on the findings of this thorough review and investigation, UFC has advised Graves that he has been released from his contract effective immediately.

UFC requires all athletes to act in an ethical and responsible manner, as mandated by the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy. UFC holds its athletes to the highest standard and will continue to take appropriate action if and when warranted.

Atlanta police arrested the 26-year-old welterweight for allegedly striking his fiance several times, with Fulton County jail records listing the charge as "Battery - Family."

The victim told police Graves had hit her following an argument in their car, then fled the scene after she'd exited the vehicle. A witness called the incident in, with police finding Graves a few blocks away from the scene. The arrest report described the victim's face as "severely swollen from the incident," according to MMA Fighting's Marc Raimondi.

Graves made his UFC debut in July 2015, taking a unanimous decision over Vicente Luque, and most recently fought Bojan Velickovic to a majority draw at UFC 201. He holds a professional record of 6-0-1.