09/01/2026
Official Statement from Arkansas Ring of Steel
Until now, Arkansas Ring of Steel has intentionally kept this matter out of the public space. Our goal was to resolve the issues privately, recover property where possible, and avoid unnecessary drama within the Buhurt community.
Unfortunately, we have recently received reports indicating that our silence and the community's lack of knowledge about the situation are continuing to be taken advantage of. Because of that, we believe we now have a responsibility to publicly clarify our position.
John Carollo is no longer affiliated with Arkansas Ring of Steel, is not authorized to represent us in any capacity, and has not been an active member of this team for some time.
His separation from Ring of Steel followed multiple serious issues involving the team and its members. We have also received reports from others within the Buhurt community regarding missing equipment, property, money, and transactions involving John. We are currently working through equipment and records in our possession to determine what belongs to whom and to correct any wrongs that we reasonably can.
We have also received reports that John continues to represent circumstances inaccurately and may be attempting to use the lack of public knowledge surrounding his separation from Ring of Steel to obtain money, equipment, or other property from members of this team or the broader community.
If you believe John Carollo has equipment or property belonging to you, or if you believe something belonging to you may have ended up in Ring of Steel's possession, please contact us privately. We want to identify anything that does not belong to us and help return verified property to its rightful owner.
We also need to make the following absolutely clear to fighters, teams, armorers, vendors, businesses, promoters, and event organizers:
John Carollo has NO authority or approval to conduct business on behalf of Arkansas Ring of Steel.
He is not authorized to place or arrange armor or equipment orders for us, purchase or sell equipment in our name, collect money on our behalf, schedule appearances or events, enter agreements for the team, or otherwise represent himself as acting for Ring of Steel.
If you are contacted regarding any transaction, order, event, payment, or agreement supposedly involving Arkansas Ring of Steel, please verify it directly with current Ring of Steel leadership before exchanging money or property.
We stayed quiet because we did not want a private situation to become public drama. However, remaining silent is no longer appropriate if that silence creates an opportunity for additional people to be taken advantage of.
Arkansas Ring of Steel has always been a family-first community built around trust, accountability, and taking care of one another. One former member does not define this team, and we will not allow the actions of one individual to damage the reputation of the fighters, families, volunteers, supporters, armorers, and friends who have worked incredibly hard to build this community.
Our priority now is simple: protect our members, protect the community, return property where ownership can be verified, and move forward together.
To everyone in the Buhurt community who has supported Ring of Steel through this situation, thank you.
We fight. As one.
