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Former MMA fighter accused of sexually assaulting woman in Scottsdale pleads not guilty

Posted at 3:07 PM, Nov 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-15 18:56:17-05

A Scottsdale man is pleading not guilty for allegedly sexually assaulting an unconscious woman outside of a bar in Old Town Scottsdale. 

Rodolfo Ramirez entered the plea in court Tuesday to a dozen felony charges including kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual abuse and voyeurism.

Ramirez, a former professional MMA fighter, is accused of raping an Arizona State University student in September. She told police that she was out drinking with a friend and was “very intoxicated.” Her friend reportedly briefly left to go get her car and when she returned the woman was gone.

The friend also told police that she saw a man with a beard hug the victim before she disappeared. She later identified the man as Ramirez, a former employee of the Hotel Valley Ho.

Ramirez is accused of kidnapping the woman and carrying her over his shoulder to a parking garage where he sexually assaulted her. Afterwards, he allegedly drove her to his apartment and sexually assaulting two more times.

According to Scottsdale police, part of the incident in the parking garage was captured on surveillance cameras.

The suspect initially denied having contact with the woman saying she wasn’t “pretty enough” and “not his type,” court documents said.

However, he later allegedly told police that the pair had "consensual sex" but agreed that she couldn't have consented because she was drunk and unconscious.

Ramirez has been held at a Maricopa County Jail without bond since his arrest.

His arraignment had been rescheduled numerous times due to medical issues. He’s slated to return to court on Dec. 28.