Former UFC Fighter Felipe Colares Dies at 29

Former UFC fighter Felipe Colares has died at the age of 29 after being struck by a bus while returning home from a training session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday.

Despite the efforts of first responders, Colares died while en route to Rocha Faria Hospital due to his injuries, his coach Rodrigo Babi told Combate.

Colares, who compiled a 11–4 MMA record, last fought on Feb. 17 in the Ares Fighting Championship in Paris, France defeating Alioune Nahaye via a rear naked choke. 

The talented Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist posted a 2–4 record in the UFC spanning from 2019 to '21. Colares gained notoriety after capturing the Jungle Fight featherweight championship in 2017 prior to competing in the UFC.

His sudden death comes on the heels of Colares being hailed as a hero for halting an attempted robbery of a woman in Rio de Janeiro back in January. 

His willingness to help a stranger in distress comes as no surprise, as Colares served as a coordinator for a government program called ‘Empoderadas’. The program was aimed at raising awareness of violence against women.

Empoderadas shared a powerful message of appreciation and condolences.

"It is with great sadness that we report the death of our great professional, athlete and friend of the trench, Felipe Colares,” the post read in part.”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.”