Tragedy struck the MMA world on Friday, when one of its bright young stars collapsed toward the end of a bout in Cicero, Illinois, shocking spectators and fans alike.
Isaac Johnson, 31, was participating in the Matador Fighter Challenge when he suffered the unexpected medical incident, and though emergency responders swiftly transported him to Loyola University Medical Center, he was pronounced dead just hours later, as the U.S. Sun reports.
According to the Sun, the Friday event itself was described by promoters as “the ultimate MMA and Thai event, where local warriors will battle it out in high-stakes, high-intensity matches.”
An event schedule indicated that Johnson was slated to take on Corey Newell in a Thai boxing match in the heavyweight category.
Joe Goytia, identified as the event's promoter, revealed the next day on social media, “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.”
Goytia continued, “Medical attention was given by medical staff on hand and he was transported to hospital. I was then informed at around 1:30am this morning that he didn’t make it.”
He concluded, “I don’t have the words to express how I feel right now, all I can say is my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and teammates. We will now more as the medical report is released.”
Goytia was far from the only one to take to the internet to express shock and sadness over the loss of Johnson.
According to the well-known fighting website bloodyelbow.com, as soon as the news of Johnson's death emerged, fans began paying their respects online.
One person wrote in response to Goytia’s post announcing the death, “Didn’t know the guy but seen how he had a radiant smile, even moments before falling he smiled, this is the game we play, the man was a true warrior to the very end.”
One sports fan who was clearly moved by what occurred wrote, “I can’t even express my sorrow,” with another adding, “May he rest in peace. Very sorry for that to happen.”
Acknowledging the inherent risks of the sport Johnson loved, a particularly insightful commentator declared, “In this game you never know! Prayers to you the staff and the family! Rest easy warrior!”
According to the U.S. Sun, authorities in Cicero have opened a formal investigation into Johnson’s death, and autopsy results are pending.
Hopefully, the answers eventually gleaned from that probe will provide Johnson’s friends, family, and fellow competitors with some degree of closure, though they will never fully ease the pain of a vital young life cut far too short.
