Ryan "The Big Deal" Jimmo began training martial arts as a child under his father, a 5th degree blackbelt in Chitō-ryū Karate, and fought in his first competition at just 10 years of age. It was the basis for a successful life and career in combat sports. Jimmo fought in his first MMA bout in Edmonton, Canada, in 2007 and went on to amass a record of 6-1 before he came to teh attention of UFC scouts. This earned him an- ultimately unsuccessful- stint at TUF 8. Unpeturbed, the karateka went back to the Canadian circuit, and with a record of 16-1, finally made his UFC debut at UFC 149. His first fight in the world's largest MMA prmotion was almost certainly his most memorable. Paired up with Anthony Perosh, Jimmo knocked out the Australian in just seven seconds. It was the fastest debut win in UFC history, and the joint quickest KO of all-time. Jimmo finally left the promotion last year after a decision loss to Francimar Barroso took his record to 3-4 inside the Octagon. He passed away yesterday from injuries sustained in a hit and run incident in a car park in Edmonton, Canada. A police statement reads:RIP Ryan Jimmo pic.twitter.com/ZPMHGhRAGl
— Dana White (@danawhite) 27 June 2016
"It is reported there was a brief verbal altercation between the drivers of two separate vehicles. "The driver of one vehicle, a 34-year-old man, approached the occupants of the second vehicle on foot. "As he was walking back to his vehicle, it is alleged the suspect vehicle accelerated, struck the man and fled the area."The news has been met with uniform sadness across the sport, with condolences paid by fans, promoters and fellow fighters to Jimmo's friends and family.