Canadian mixed martial artist and seven time UFC veteran Ryan Jimmo has died after a hit and run incident in his native Canada early yesterday morning.
Police said that there was an altercation between Jimmo and the driver of another vehicle outside an Edmonton sports bar and, when Jimmo turned to walk away, the driver of the other car accelerated and struck him. The car then sped away and the driver has not yet been apprehended.
Jimmo was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards. Police have indicated that the incident is being treated as a homicide.
The Canadian was a much-loved by both fans and fighters alike and well known for his light-hearted personality and the robot dances he would celebrate victory with.
Quoted by CBC.ca, his aunt Sharon Jimmo paid tribute to her nephew who was "friends with everyone".
He was a people person. He loved everyone. He was so kind. Ryan would help anyone who would need it, he was just that kind of guy. He lived his life the way he wanted. He was happy-go-lucky.
RIP Ryan Jimmo pic.twitter.com/ZPMHGhRAGl
— danawhite (@danawhite) June 27, 2016
The 34-year-old fighter began his MMA career with a loss in 2007 but then won 16 consecutive bouts to earn a contract with the UFC. Jimmo won his debut in the world’s largest MMA organisation with a 7 second knockout of Anthony Perosh and was released from the promotion after compiling a 3-4 record overall.
Jimmo had been a vocal proponent of the introduction of a fighters's union in mixed martial arts and had recently been interviewed on Irish radio where he advocated increased rights for fighters in their careers.
Speaking to Newstalk in April about his leaving the UFC, he said:
They didn't actually cut me. They did something called accelerate the terms of my contract. In the UFC and MMA, it's top-down. So the UFC calls all the shots, they tell you who's going to fight who, what the rankings are. They do everything. Boxing is different. Two guys will say 'you and I are going to fight and we sub-contract out a promotion company to put those fights on instead of the promotion company sub-contracting other fighters and calling all the shots
So very sad to hear about the unnecessary death of Ryan Jimmo. He was a great person and will be missed. RIP Ryan
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) June 27, 2016
Wow! Sad to hear about the recent tragic passing of UFC Vet Ryan Jimmo. Terrible! My prayers out to his family during this time.
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) June 27, 2016
So sad to hear the news about Ryan Jimmo.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 27, 2016
Just heard that Ryan Jimmo has passed due to a car accident. So saddened to hear this.
— michael (@bisping) June 27, 2016
