UFC fighter survives drive-by shooting in Florida

Ramon Taveras made his full UFC debut in January

UFC fighter Ramon Taveras says a "group of armed men" tried to shoot him outside his mother's house in Duval, Florida.

Taveras, 30, released doorbell footage of the incident on 29 July, which shows a car driving by and opening fire as he left the house.

The American, who was born and raised in Jacksonville, lost his brother to gun violence in 2019.

"His killers are yet to be caught. Now I find myself almost in the same situation," Taveras wrote on Instagram.

"My family feels unsafe and I fear for my children, who nearly lost their father, the person striving to change their lives.

"It is tragic that I have so much love for my city, yet I am compelled to leave."

There were 157 homicides in Jacksonville in 2023, with shootings accounting for 123 of those deaths.

Taveras reported the shooting to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

"They assumed I was targeted due to 'gang violence' or a problem I caused. I don't bother anyone, I stay in my own lane, I focus on my career and family. Even after explaining this, they continued to insinuate that I was involved in something that brought this outcome upon myself," he said.

"Nobody is perfect and everyone has a past. However, I have changed significantly from who I was 10 years ago.

"For such an incident to occur out of nowhere is alarming. It makes me view my life and family through an entirely different lens.

"This is a daily reality in my city; I am not the first, nor will I be the last."

Taveras earned his spot on the UFC roster through Dana White's Contender Series last October.

The bantamweight officially opened his UFC account in January, beating Serhiy Sidey via split decision, to improve his record to ten wins and two losses.

Taveras, who is a father of four, says he now intends to leave Duval County.

BBC Sport has contacted the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for comment.