An attempted robbery gone wrong in a Cutler Bay parking lot was recently captured on surveillance video. It all started in the early hours of November 1 when Omar Marrero, 50, was seen walking around the parking lot with a 14-inch knife. As he stumbled upon a car occupied by a man, he began knocking on the window and harassing the occupant. Little did Marrero know, the man he had chosen to threaten was ex-MMA fighter, Javier Baez.
The surveillance video shows Marrero rushing at Baez before the former grappler lifts him into the air and slams him to the concrete. Baez then reportedly disarmed Marrero and held him down until the police arrived.
In an interview with WPLG-TV, Baez explained that he was just reacting to the situation based on his training and instincts. He stated, “Once it came to that, it’s all instincts. I couldn’t do much but just react. I’ve been training my whole life — black belt jiu-jitsu, wrestled in college, I’ve got eight pro fights, MMA masters. I’ve got great training partners.”
Fortunately for Baez, he only suffered a few scratches and did not sustain any serious injuries. As for Marrero, he was arrested and charged with one count each of burglary with assault or battery and aggravated battery. He is currently being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Whoa Javier Baez in Miami got attacked by some random with a knife but shows why wrestling is important to know pic.twitter.com/zxVcE2T3AW
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) November 3, 2023
Baez’s quick thinking and self-defense tactics have been attributed to his successful MMA career. During his time as a professional fighter from 2011 to 2018, Baez had a record of 5-2-1 and fought in several Florida regional promotions.
When asked about the incident, Baez remained humble and stated that he was just doing what anyone else in his position would have done. He stated, “You train so many times that it becomes just a reflex. Once I started putting the choke in, he kind of just let it go because no one is worried about anything else but breathing when you’re losing air. I was able to hold him down with my knee and call the cops, and he woke up, cops came, and it was good, easy peasy!”
Florida Man attacks former MMA fighter with a 14 inch knife
Gets grappled to the ground and subdued pic.twitter.com/C6PKh2w3UR
— BJJotter (@JiujitsuOtter) November 5, 2023
The surveillance footage of the incident has since gone viral, with many praising Baez for his quick thinking and self-defense skills. Baez hopes that this incident will serve as a reminder to others to always be aware of their surroundings and to not underestimate the potential danger of their actions.
In the end, the would-be attacker chose the wrong person to threaten in that Cutler Bay parking lot. Thanks to Baez’s MMA training and instincts, the situation was quickly diffused and justice was served. Baez’s heroics have once again proven that training and preparation can make all the difference in a dangerous situation.
