Travis Fulton is a name no doubt familiar to longtime MMA fans. Known as the sport’s “iron man,” Fulton is a veteran of 320 fights, with a pro record 255-54-10 (1 NC). However, Fulton is now looking at a different sort of record: a serious criminal record, after being charged and indicted with possession of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and sexual exploitation of a child.
That’s in addition to recent charges of domestic violence. None of the allegations have been proven in court, and Fulton, 43, has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
News of Fulton’s indictment was first reported by The Courier.
Cageside Press confirmed via an Iowa Court Records search on Monday that Fulton was charged with Willful Injury – Causing Bodily Injury, Domestic Assault with intent to inflict serious injury, and Domestic Abuse/Assault, a felony and two misdemeanors, in September of 2019. The charges resulted in a No Contact order with the victim, which was violated in January of 2021.
Fulton was then hit with a contempt of court charged on January 23. Both Fulton and the woman in question were detained earlier this month. During the original incident in 2019, Fulton was reported to have punched the woman in the head and back repeatedly, and threatening to kill her if she reported the incident to police.
Per The Courier report, the child pornography and exploitation charges were unsealed this past Friday. Those relate to an attempt to “entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct for the purpose taking pictures,” according to the report. Fulton was also alleged to have been found in possession of a USB flash drive, with pornography involving a person under the age of 12.
What led police to the pornography and exploitation charges is unclear. However, Fulton and the victim of the domestic violence case were reportedly seen together in January at the Isle Casino Hotel in Waterloo, Iowa. Search warrants for Fulton were issued on January 28, per Iowa court records.
Fulton’s trial is expected to commence in April. His last professional bout took place in 2019, when he defeated Shannon Ritch via forearm choke under the M-1 banner. Over the years, Fulton fought for numerous promotions, as expected with a career of over 300 fights. That includes two bouts in the UFC, at UFC 20 and 21, where he went 1-1. Over the years, he competed against the likes of Babalu Sobral, Andrei Arlovski, Ricco Rodrigeuz, Vladimir Matyushenko, Heath Herring, Minowaman, Dan Severn, Forrest Griffin, and others.
