CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza allegedly broke his jaw during a bar altercation, according to a report from The Athletic.
The Athletic's Tom Bogert and Pablo Maurer said Boupendza was involved in the altercation early Monday morning.
According to a police report The Athletic received, Boupendza was punched by professional boxer Quashawn Toler, who is listed as a suspect in the police report, outside of Rusconi Bar & Kitchen in downtown Cincinnati.
Toler, 32, has a 17-2 record with 12 knockouts, according to the World Boxing Association.
Boupendza won't be on the pitch any time soon after the injury, with FC Cincinnati saying he'll be out six to eight weeks following surgery Thursday on his jaw.
The club only explained Boupendza's broken jaw as "an off-field injury."
"The club hopes for his swift and full recovery, and we look forward to having him back on the field as soon as he’s available," Boupendza said.
Boupendza has been with the club since last June, signing a contract through the 2025 season with options for 2026 and 2027.
He's played in every MLS regular season game this year, starting in five and scoring two goals. In 2023, he played in 10 regular season games, scoring five goals.
In the Orange and Blue's 2023 playoff run, Boupendza scored the only regular-time goal in an 8-7 penalty kick win in the second round.
Just months ago, a source close to the 27-year-old reported Boupendza was being blackmailed after his phone — containing a sex tape — was stolen while he was in his native country of Gabon playing for the national team.
RELATED | Source: FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza facing alleged blackmail over sex tape on stolen phone
Senegalese news site Senenews reported that Boupendza could potentially face prison time in his home country because having such a video is illegal. Article 430 of Gabonse Penal Code prohibits pornographic content, saying those that break the law could face a fine of 10,000,000 Central African Francs (or $17,000) and up to five years in prison if found guilty, according to the report from Senenews.
We reached out to FC Cincinnati for comment, but the club declined. Boupendza did not release any type of statement either.
