Moment gunman in Devil mask tries to storm Tamp strip club and is stopped by former MMA fighter

An MMA fighter-turned-security guard is being hailed as a hero for immobilizing an ‘incoherent’ gunman who tried to storm a gentleman’s club – a hectic encounter captured entirely by the club’s security cameras.

The close call happened early Sunday morning at the well-known Mons Venus dancers club in Tampa, and saw one of its security members, 58-year-old Manuel Anthony Resto, prevent what police said could have been a mass shooting.

A seasoned bouncer with 30 years of experience, Resto, better known as Manny, has a background in MMA and professional wrestling – and was thus ready at 1:15 am Monday when suspect Michael Rudman, 44, suddenly appeared at the club’s door.

Donning a devil mask and too incoherent to speak, according to police, Resto immediately knew something was afoot – and soon noticed the man had the words ‘kill’ and ‘darkk[sic] one’ scrawled on both of his arms.

Initially brushing it off as a prank, Resto would jump into action when he noticed the man had a gun. He proceeded to make quick work of the masked marauder, potentially saving more than 200 people partying inside.

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An MMA fighter-turned-security guard is being hailed as a hero for immobilizing an ‘incoherent’ gunman who tried to storm a gentleman’s club – a hectic encounter captured entirely by the club’s security cameras

A seasoned bouncer with 30 years of experience, Manny Resto, seen here recounting the attack during a police presser on Tuesday, has a background in MMA and professional wrestling – and was thus ready when suspect suddenly appeared at the club’s door

‘I saw him raise his hand, and he had a gun,’ Resto explained at a press conference called on Tuesday, as cops released heart-pounding footage of the encounter.

‘I saw him pointing it towards the door. And I decided that he was not going to enter the club and hurt anybody.’

The clip showed the brief-but-intense altercation in full, which became physical as Rudman – now in custody – strode toward the entrance with a fully loaded pistol in one hand and a flashlight in the other.

As the suspect attempts to open the front door, Resto confronts him, and within seconds snatches the handgun, which falls to the floor.

Footage shows a brief physical struggle between to two similarly sized men before Resto gains control of the firearm, leading an unarmed Rudman to attempt to fight the bouncer hand-to-hand. 

That said, Resto, despite being nearly 15 years the other man’s senior, remained in control, reverting to his decades of experience in combat sports to hold his own.

Dodging and weaving punches while offering some of his own, Resto eventually deters his attacker enough to put some distance between them, and immediately eyes the downed handgun.

While the suspect is out of frame, Resto rushes to pick the firearm up, pointing it as his assailant as he reproaches for round two.

Dodging and weaving punches while offering some of his own, Resto was able to snatch the handgun from the suspect, potentially saving more than 200 people inside

Resto, despite being nearly 15 years the other man’s senior, remained in control, reverting to his decades of experience in combat sports to hold his own

Suspect Michael Rudman, 44, is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm while under a risk protection order – but not attempted murder. He attempted to enter the club with a pistol, and the words ‘kill’ and ‘darkk[sic] one’ scrawled on both of his arms

Apparently undeterred, Rudman – who cops confirmed Tuesday has a history of domestic violence and mental health issues – continues to menace Resto, who elects to not fire the weapon.

It is at this point that Resto uses his wrestling skills to subdue his impromptu opponent, who falls to the floor – as the guard strikes him once more with the but of the pistol for good measure.

Eventually, other members of Resto’s team rush over to help, averting a crisis that could have been eerily reminiscent to the 2016 strike just 80 miles away that killed 49 people, at the now notorious Pulse nightclub.

Rudman was promptly arrested booked on battery and assault charges, as well as purchasing a weapon while under a risk protection order.

Cops Tuesday said they could not provide further information on the extent of Rudman’s criminal history – but said that he was incoherent when officers arrived to the point where ‘he could not speak.’

Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw explained how members of his department were still trying to learn why he was trying to enter the club with a loaded weapon.

Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw said Tuesday that Rudman was incoherent when officers arrived to the point where he could not speak. His force has yet to learn why he was trying to enter the club with a loaded weapon

The close call happened early Sunday morning at the well-known Mons Venus dancers club in Tampa – seen here – and was eerily reminiscent to the 2016 strike just 80 miles away that killed 49 people at the now notorious Pulse nightclub

With Resto and another guard who helped hold the suspect down until police arrive present, the chief did reveal that detectives had learned that Rudman had visited the establishment the night prior – potentially to vet the security it had in place.

‘There is no question that the security guards who disarmed this suspect saved dozens of lives through their heroic acts,’ said Interim Chief Lee Bercaw of the Sunday scare.

‘And I am thankful that our officers were able to take this individual into custody before he had the chance to carry out whatever he had planned.’

He added: ‘We will continue to actively and thoroughly investigate this case to get a better understanding of what led up to this thwarted incident.’

Cops did not reveal during the conference whether they believed Rudman to be under the influence of any substance whilst carrying out the attack. He is being held without bond at the Falkenburg Road Jail – but has yet to be charged with attempted murder.

‘There is no question that the security guards who disarmed this suspect saved dozens of lives through their heroic acts,’ said Interim Chief Lee Bercaw of the Sunday scare, next to Resto and another Mons Venus Security guard

Resto, seen here Tuesday with another guard who helped subdue the suspect, credits his background in MMA and professional wrestling for his quick handing of the incident

According to cops, he’s been slapped with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm while under a risk protection order.

More charges could be filed, however, as the police continue to probe the incident.

Resto, meanwhile, says he’s thankful Rudman was not able to hurt anyone inside the club, and maintains that he was only doing his job. 

He credits his background in MMA and professional wrestling, as well as his three decades as a bouncer, for his quick disarming of the gunman. The City of Tampa’s police department is currently investigating the incident.