A mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter has been arrested for allegedly robbing a bank in New York of more than $45,000 in cash.

Sergio DaSilva, 31, was cuffed at his home in Queens - less than one block away from the robbed Citibank - on Thursday.

Police say they were able to identify DaSilva as the thief based on fingerprints left at the scene due to a prior 2008 arrest. The robbery occurred at a Citibank on Steinway Street at August 24 around 9.00am. 

An image released by cops the day after the robbery showed a man standing behind the counter, dressed in dark colors, with his mouth covered underneath a hooded sweatshirt. 

'Give me all the money. I will shoot everybody,' he told the three bank tellers, indicating he had a gun in his pocket. The MMA veteran - sometimes called 'The Savage' - is then said to have made off with $45,964 in cash before fleeing on foot.

NYPD officers charged DaSilva with robbery. Details of his 2008 arrest are sealed, reported the new York post. The fighter took to Facebook on Friday morning to thank his fans for 'all the love and support I have received'.

'As much as I would love to speak more about the allegations my legal team has rightfully advised me against discussing any details until the case is over,' he wrote.

'I'm ready to cooperate and clear up my name.'

Da Silva has a 6-9 record as a professional fighter, including a 0-2 mark in Bellator. He lost his most recent fight at Bellator 180 in June to Matt Rizzo via submission in the third round.