Why MMA fighter stepped in between a mob and a Trump supporter

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WSOF welterweight Jake Shields said he couldn't stand by as masked men beat a Donald Trump supporter during Wednesday's protests at the University of California, Berkeley.

"That's when I had to intervene, because no one is helping the guy, including the police," Shields told MMAjunkie.

The veteran MMA fighter found himself in the middle of a chaotic scene as a protesters fanned out after damaging campus buildings, setting off fireworks and igniting a tree.

The protest erupted in response to the speaking appearance of Breitbart editor and right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, who'd been invited to the campus by the student group Berkeley College Republicans. The event was canceled soon after violence broke out.

Although university officials said several people were arrested after attacking two members of the student group, Shields backed reports of bystanders being attacked with pepper spray and batons. He also claimed police refused to intervene.

"I went to try to get police assistance, and they said they wouldn't go in there," he said. "People were getting attacked and beat up."

Shields, 38, had just finished dinner with his girlfriend in the school's vicinity when he saw a man, wearing a Trump hat and "covered in blood," being chased through the streets.

"There were hundreds of them around, with weapons, so I was trying to diffuse the situation with the least amount of effort possible," he said. "Generally, when you throw a punch, guys back off."

A onetime UFC welterweight title challenger and former Strikeforce champion who now fights for WSOF, Shields punched a few of the protesters and broke up the fracas, he said. One of the protesters even recognized him.

"Dude, you guys got your face covered, you're attacking people - you're being (expletive) fascists," he told one of the masked men as several others milled about.

Although he'd interrupted the attackers, Shields sensed the situation was quickly deteriorating.

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