A 31-year-old MMA fighter has tragically died just hours after collapsing suddenly during a match in Chicago.
City native Isaac Johnson fell after being injured towards the end of a bout in the Matador Fighter Challenge competition, held at Cicero Stadium, prompting an ambulance to be dispatched at 8.38pm, Friday, November 21.
Just a few hours later at 12.01am, the MMA fighter was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center, NBC reports.
An autopsy has been scheduled for the upcoming fighter, with the Cook County medical examiner and local police also investigating the sudden death.
The mixed combat event Johnson was taking part in was billed on its website as ‘the ultimate MMA and Thai event, where local warriors will battle it out in high-stakes, high-intensity matches’.
Johnson is understood to have been married with a daughter.
The Matador Fighter Challenge event’s distraught promoter, Joe Goytia, wrote on Facebook: “I don’t have the words to express how I feel right now.”
Goytia went on to say that the event’s medical staff gave Johnson medical attention while they waited for the ambulance. The post continued: “This is a post I hoped to never make, last night one of the fighters in our event Isaac Johnson collapsed towards end of his fight.
“Medical attention was given by medical staff on hand and he was transported to hospital. I was then informed at around 1.30 am this morning that he didn’t make it.
“All I can say is my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and teammates. We will know more as the medical report is released.”
The promoter also said that Johnson had passed a physical before the bout. Sources told Fox 4 that the fight was the 31-year-old’s first ever Thai boxing match.
A Saturday night autopsy carried out on Johnson was inconclusive, according to the Sun, with further medical examinations necessary to confirm his cause of death.
MMA fans have been posting tributes to the fallen fighter on the event’s post about the incident, with one saying: “My thoughts and condolences. Something we never want to hear or experience.”
Some described Johnson as ‘a true warrior to the very end,’ while another said: “I can’t even express my sorrow.”
“In this game you never know! Prayers to you the staff and the family! Rest easy warrior!” another mourner said.