PORT ST.  LUCIE - The State Attorney's Office is dropping a criminal charge against Din Thomas, the popular mixed martial artist who was accused of running "illegal cage fighting" matches last month. 

Thomas, 31, was originally charged with a felony count of running prohibited competitions following a tip to police about a "fight club" at a training studio in St. Lucie West.  The crime was described by one prosecutor as promoting an activity not sanctioned by the Florida Boxing Commission, which has jurisdiction over professional boxing and mixed martial arts events. 

Assistant State Attorney Jeff Hendriks said there was an exception to the law Thomas was arrested on: If all of the fighters are students of the school and the purpose of the event is training, then it is allowed.  In addition, Thomas and the school did not profit from the event, as money was collected as part of a raffle and was later distributed. 

"What is important is that the road patrol officers present had to determine whether they had probable cause to believe the statute was violated and given the information at the time, they acted appropriately," Hendriks said in a statement. " I have a different, higher burden of proof, as well as the hindsight advantage of full knowledge of the facts from both sides and that is what formed my decision." 

According to police, two men fought in a caged, octagonal ring surrounded by about 150 cheering spectators.  The men wore gloves but no protective headgear.  Thomas said medical staff weren't on hand, but combatants signed waivers. 

Hendriks filed paperwork to drop the charge Friday, he said. 

Thomas could have faced up to five years in prison if convicted on the charge.  He moved to Port St. Lucie with his family when he was 12 and is a top competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the main organization of competitive mixed martial arts, as well as the operator of American Top Team Port St. Lucie, affiliated with American Top Team, a national organization with franchises across the country. 

Defense attorney Corey Sucher said Thomas was relieved about the state's decision not to prosecute. 

"Obviously my client's happy," he said. " They did the right thing." 

Thomas, who was injured following a Sept. 19 match against Kenny Florian, is still under contract with Ultimate Fighting Championship for several fights and is continuing rehabilitation with the intent to compete again soon, Sucher said.