MMA fighter Joe Schilling acted in self-defense in 2021 bar incident, court rules

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Joe Schilling, a former Bellator MMA fighter, acted in self-defense during a 2021 incident at a bar, a Florida court ruled earlier this month.

The court said Schilling is immune from a lawsuit over allegations of battery and negligence from the incident in Fort Lauderdale nearly two years ago.

"This is a complete and total victory for Schilling, who was widely criticized on social media after this incident occurred," Schilling’s attorney, David Katz, said in a news release. "It is also a lesson to those looking to make a quick buck by causing problems and claiming damages. 

"Florida law protects those who are forced to protect themselves and their loved ones, and our law firm is here to make sure those who are forced to defend themselves do not suffer further in our legal system either by wrongful arrest or wrongful civil actions such as this case."

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MMA Fighter Joe Schilling attends Spike TV's Guys Choice 2016 at Sony Pictures Studios June 4, 2016, in Culver City, Calif. (Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

A video emerged in 2021 appearing to show Schilling trying to get around a man at a bar who was seen in a shirt and tie standing in the middle of a pathway for patrons and employees to get through.

A busboy comes to the man’s table and, at the same time, Schilling is seen trying to move around him. It was unclear from the initial video what was said between Schilling and the man, but the MMA fighter is seen delivering a quick one-two knockout blow.

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Justin Balboa was identified as the man with whom