DOLPHINS LB REY MAUALUGAARRESTED FOR BATTERY

BREAKING NEWS

1:00 PM PT -- According to the arrest report ... Maualuga was confronted by an employee at club E11EVEN about an outstanding $40 tab around 8:20 AM. Rey allegedly became upset and refused to pay. The employee claims he asked him to pay again, and Rey grabbed him by the throat and shoved him. Rey was then kicked out by security and detained by cops, who arrested him.Miami Dolphins linebacker Rey Maualuga was arrested for battery in Miami, FL early Saturday morning ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The details surrounding the arrest are unclear -- but according to ProFootballTalk, the Dolphins are planning to release him as a result of the incident.

TMZ Sports obtained Rey's booking information -- 6'2 inches, 350 lbs. (guessing this is supposed to be 250) -- and he was booked at 12:46 PM. His bond has been set at $1,500.

Maualuga's been in trouble with the law before -- he pled guilty to drunk driving stemming from a 2010 incident.

Story developing ...