The Waco Police Department arrested and detained 40-year-old MMA coach Jacob Brennan on May 19 on charges of alleged sexual abuse. The investigation initially began in November 2023, when the victim told investigators that Brennan, who coached her at the time, inappropriately touched and harassed her for several years between 2013 and 2015.
Brennan — the head coach of Blitz MMA based in Waco, Texas — is most recognized on the MMA scene as the head trainer and husband of current UFC women’s bantamweight contender Hailey Cowan.
MMA coach Jacob Brennan arrested for alleged sexual abuse
#BREAKING – A Waco-area MMA coach is accused of sexually abusing a girl he was training over a three year period, an affidavit states. INFO: https://t.co/QO5jWq34GN pic.twitter.com/O1P9ipCrJs
— KWTX News 10 (@kwtx) May 20, 2024
As reported by the Waco-based KWTX News, Jacob Brennan was arrested and booked into the McLennan County Jail on May 19 after months of investigation into alleged sexual abuse.
The incident occurred roughly ten years prior to his arrest when Brennan was 30 and the victim was 13, according to reports. Per the official statement, the abuse would commence “in various rooms throughout the gym almost every day” over a period of two years while she trained with his team.
The victim claimed Brennan non-consensually kissed her “hundreds of times” while touching her genitals both on and beneath her clothing. Police revealed that Brennan had also sent her multiple messages on Facebook outside of practice, claiming to “love” her and expressing a desire to engage in physical intimacy.
According to the report from KWTX, several members of the gym became suspicious and aware of the abusive situation, apparently confronting Brennan. The coach was dismissive while attempting to calm allegations through “conflicting stories,” causing numerous unnamed athletes to leave the gym.
Public reports did not confirm or deny if any of the former students of Brennan conversed with police to back the victim’s accusation.
Per MMA Fighting, Brennan was released on May 20 without charges on a $75,000 bond.
Jacob Brennan is the head MMA coach of UFC bantamweight Hailey Cowan
Since signing with the UFC in 2022 following a split decision win over Claudia Leite on Dana White’s Contender Series, Hailey Cowan has been a member of the UFC women’s bantamweight division. As of May 2024, Cowan has one fight in the promotion, losing to Jamey-Lyn Horth at UFC Vegas 72.
Cowan, 32, is eight years younger than Jacob Brennan, her husband and head coach at Blitz MMA. The bantamweight began training at Brennan’s gym in 2013 after graduating from Baylor University and completing her career as an All-American Division I tumbler.
In 2017, Cowan made her amateur MMA debut and went 3-0 before turning professional. As a professional, Cowan would begin her career 6-2 in the notable regional promotions LFA and Invicta FC to earn her shot on the Contender Series.
Since losing her UFC debut, Cowan has not returned to the Octagon but was scheduled to compete at UFC Vegas 92 against Tamires Vidal, an event that transpired one day before Brennan had been arrested. Cowan withdrew from the fight with a broken leg and was replaced by divisional newcomer Melissa Gatto, who wound up winning the fight with an awkward finish in the third round.
At press time, neither Cowan nor the Blitz MMA team has made any official statements on Brennan’s arrest. It remains unclear if either were aware of the situation before May 19.
Cowan’s social media shows her primarily training at Blitz MMA but also provides evidence of her connections to the Las Vegas-based Xtreme Couture gym, led by credentialed coach Eric Nicksick.
About the Author
Jaren Kawada is a freelance sports writer from Indianapolis, Indiana with a strong passion for MMA and sports betting. Kawada has also written for Sportskeeda MMA, FanSided MMA, and BetSided as a combat sports analyst.
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