MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The UFC is speaking out about the arrest of mixed martial arts fighter Jeremy Stephens.

Minneapolis police took the 26-year-old into custody Friday morning at a downtown hotel on a felony assault warrant from Iowa.

He was to fight Friday night in Minneapolis, but missed the nationally televised match because he was in custody.

UFC president Dana White said late Friday that he has been unsuccessful in his efforts to cut a deal to get Stephens out on bail.

White says there are two sides to every story and has accused Iowa authorities of waiting purposely until hours before the fight to arrest Stephens.

The UFC website says Stephens is from Des Moines and fights out of San Diego under the name “Lil’ Heathen.” He was still in custody Saturday.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)