All Felix Pablo Elochukwu wanted was a shot to represent Canada in the UFC.So, the 35-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Hamilton packed a bag and headed to Port Huron, Michigan, for his amateur debut on Saturday.Tragically, his first match would be his last.The Nigerian-born athlete died after the third round when the fight was stopped because he was unable to defend himself from his opponent. He initially showed no signs of serious injury, but later became unresponsive.

Paramedics couldn’t revive him and he was taken to hospital. It’s not clear whether he died in the ambulance or at the health centre.
“I remember seeing him a few weeks ago when we were celebrating his birthday, and he was actually talking about this fight,” said Elochukwu’s friend, Jerry Igenu, in a phone interview from New Brunswick Tuesday.“He was very optimistic. He thought this was going to be his breakthrough match and he would move up to the next level. He wanted to fight for Canada.”

Another friend, Nnamdi Orakwue, from Toronto, said Elochukwu came to Canada from Nigeria as a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 2012, he moved to Hamilton because it was known as a tight-knit community where he could train at the highly regarded Joslin’s Martial Arts and be a part of the Ontario MMA scene.“He’s a straight-up guy,” Orakwue, 34, said. “He had a huge heart. I don’t think he felt he would have had enough support in Canada to grow his fighting career, so Michigan was there for him to make a name for himself.”

A spokesman for Joslin’s could not be reached Tuesday, but media reports peg Elochukwu as a 265-pound heavyweight with a blue belt in Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu and say he was a three-time gold medal winner on the local grappling circuit.Elochukwu was close to his family — his mother, father and sister — who still reside in Nigeria, Orakwue said. He recently asked him to help send them a care package consisting of a watch, a pair of shoes, and a handbag.

Igenu, 32, said to the best of his knowledge, his friend didn’t have any medical problems that would put him in jeopardy in the ring.

“He’s one of the guys you love to hang out with,” he added. “People that know him from back home — he always led a very active life. He loves boxing and fighting. He’s got passion.”According to Sportsnet, the first two rounds of the bout consisted primarily of grappling exchanges. However, Elochukwu showed signs of fatigue going into the third round. His opponent achieved full mount and began delivering “soft” hammer fists.The event was staged by the Amateur Fighting Club, which confirmed the tragic news on its Facebook page.“Last night’s event, April 6th, we lost a member of our MMA family and we would like to take this time to honour him,” the message said.An autopsy was conducted Sunday, but a cause of death has yet to be determined.

Apologies to all,he actually died in Michigan not Canada.I have edited the heading.MODERATOR,please rectify title on frontpage.

Mixed martial arts like boxing is a show put up by barbaric animals for barbarians.

The real martial art doesn't involve competition. It is a *self defense* art with bare hands. Senseis don't show off until you attack them. One KIAI is all that is needed to fend off and startle the aggressor.

RIP boy.

R.I.P

true or false

playmode: MODERATOR,frontpage please!

dont beg me? Rip to the dead

hiaaaa! oh boy see muscle? So sad he died while fighting. RIP Nwanne.

I don't know why people in their right senses would partake in such sports. See as him come huge! Steroids things, RIP sha, Life wasted.

Sorry

See me see wahala o, wit that muscle, i sure say I go beat anybody Odikwa R.I.P though
>
wait o.. Shey na fight to death like mortal combat? Omo na wa o...
>
abegi wetin be d meaning of dis 'ODIKWA' self?

UFC no be playstation o... Or that nonsense WWE....

RIP bro.. One life, one fight, straight death

RIP

To serve nigeria with all my strength s help me God

playmode: MODERATOR,frontpage please!

Why?

really sad. Passion for fighting? Na Western-trained agbero be that one oo. Weird. RIP

Table Leg :

Why?

Eeya..

Chai. I think he got hit in a vital organ.
R.I.P
At least you passed on doing what you loved.
You went out good.

Igbos are doing well...

aminho: To serve nigeria with all my strength s help me God

i'm sure u meant 'to serve nigeria is not by force'

Ha! My brother you shouldn't have gone into MMA, the harzards in that sport are not mitigated unlike boxing. MMA is just too brutal.

Anyway RIP

berem: Na by force to comment? just say RIP and fucck off!

RIP berem

Nawa o! This dude looks so healthy na They better be fast with the autopsy. This life sef.

RIP. So sad.

Keneking: Igbos are doing well...

Really! Is that supposed to be sarcasm? Do you agree it won't be completely out of order to call you dense or stup*d?

playmode: “People that know him from back home — he always led a very active life. He loves boxing and fighting. He’s got passion.”

Na wa o! Hope he wasn't a bully that loved trouble and somebody he beat up swore for him. Live by the punch, die by the punch? Unfortunate death nonetheless. Comfort to his family.

Should there be a game like that in the first instance? The risk looks too high to me.

Maybe he had a heart attack, or a blood vessel in his brain popped.

Hhhmmm d guy no dey shop akpu