He pulled what looked like a gun and demanded her phone. He'd picked the wrong woman to rob — she was a professional UFC fighter, and his weapon was made of cardboard.
Polyana Viana, a Brazilian UFC strawweight fighter, subdued an armed robber outside her apartment in Rio de Janeiro in 2019, in an encounter that quickly went viral once the details became public.
Waiting for a Ride
Viana was waiting outside her apartment complex for an Uber when a man approached and asked her for the time. When he lingered afterward rather than leaving, she grew suspicious. He then demanded her phone, telling her not to react because he had a gun, gesturing to what appeared to be a weapon tucked in his clothing.
A Fighter's Instincts
Viana, drawing on her professional training, judged that acting immediately gave the man less opportunity to actually use whatever weapon he had. She threw two quick punches, took him to the ground, and secured him in a rear-naked choke hold, then called out to passersby to help hold him and contact police.
A Fake Gun and a Prior Record
At the police station, it was determined the man's "gun" was a fake made of cardboard. Investigators also found he had a previous criminal record. UFC president Dana White later shared a photo on social media showing the man's injuries from the encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the robber's gun real?
No. It was later determined to be a fake weapon made of cardboard.
Was Polyana Viana injured in the encounter?
No public reports indicated she was injured; she successfully subdued the robber and held him until police arrived.
Did the robber have a prior criminal history?
Yes, according to police, he had previously been in custody for an earlier conviction.