‘Never forget’: Ex-UFC Felipe Colares killed in bus accident at 29
The MMA star was struck and run over by a bus on his way home from a training session in Rio de Janeiro.
Former UFC fighter Felipe Colares has died aged 29 after being hit by bus in Rio de Janeiro.
The Brazilian MMA star was on his way home from a training session when he was struck and run over by a bus in the neighbourhood of Guaratiba.
He leaves behind his wife Jaqueline and his 10-month-old son.
Colares was taken to Hospital Rocha Faria but died on the way.
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Colares was signed for the UFC after building an 8-0 record in various promotions, but had a rough time upon his arrival.
While he ended up going 2-4 in his six UFC fights which were fought across the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, Colares was only knocked out once, in his final fight to Chase Hooper.
He had just begun his return to the mixed martial arts world, fighting under the ARES FC banner, choking out Alioune Nahaye in Paris.
Colares made headlines earlier this year after stopping a phone thief who had assaulted a woman in Rio.
He used his martial arts to apprehend the criminal, sitting on him until the police arrived.
Speaking about the incident Colares said: “I went back to my car and went to the woman to check the situation, and indeed it was a robbery,” Colares wrote.
“My friends and I went back to the car and saw the man. After noticing he was unarmed, we intervened and managed to pin the robber using jiu-jitsu techniques.”
The UFC paid tribute to Colares with an obituary.
“The UFC family sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Felipe Colares,” they added.
ARES FC also paid tribute.
“The ARES family sends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Felipe Colares,” it posted on Instagram.
Setanta Sports’ Giorgi Kokiashvili posted: “So heartbroken to hear what happened to Felipe Colares.
“I talked to him once but it was pretty clear for me what kind of person he was.
“Rest in Peace, Felipe!”
Twitter account Prodigy MMA tweeted: “Damn, RIP. I’ll never forget the heart he showed coming back in the Luke Sanders fight.”
Six-fight UFC veteran Felipe Colares recently stopped a thief in Brazil, restraining him until the police arrived. #UFC#MMApic.twitter.com/jdmKidW6S6
— MMA DIRT (@MMADIRTcom) January 26, 2023
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Colares previously worked with a government program in Brazil called Empoderadas, which raises awareness of violence against women.
Writing a tribute to Colares it posted: “It is with great sadness that we report the death of our great professional, athlete and friend of the trench, Felipe Colares.
“Felipe made a tremendous contribution with his experience as a multi-champion athlete helping us develop techniques to prevent and cope with violence against women. Our deepest condolences to family and friends.”
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