MMA News Roundup: Fighter dies by suicide at 28, Sean O'Malley fears Paddy Pimblett could develop eating disorder, Kamaru Usman and 2 other UFC fighters spotted testing guns
Welcome to today's edition of Sportskeeda's daily MMA News Roundup, where we present the biggest UFC updates and other stories from the world of mixed martial arts.
In today's issue, we talk about an MMA fighter passing away at the age of 28, Sean O'Malley giving his take on Paddy Pimblett's weight-gaining habits, and more.
#3. BKFC fighter dies at 28 years of age
28-year-old fighter Jerald Gregori has passed away. The news was shared by BKFC president and founder David Feldman on Facebook.
Feldman wrote:
"Saddened and shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Jerald Gregori. If any one of my fighters ever needs to talk about anything, I am a phone call away. People have issues and get depressed, I will always be there when needed. Talk to someone please. Very sad. RIP Jerald!"
He has since deleted the post. Gregori's mother confirmed the news of his passing, commenting under Feldman's post.
Gregori had two fights under the banner of BKFC and lost both. He was set to fight Guillermo Perez at BKFC 34 on December 3 in Hollywood, Florida.
You can read the tributes paid by his friends, family, and fellow fighters on his Facebook account here.
#2. Sean O'Malley warns Paddy Pimblett about developing an eating disorder
Paddy Pimblett blowing up between fights but still managing to make 155 lbs the night before his fights has been the talk of the MMA town for a while. 'The Baddy' has been warned by many of the dire consequences of this lifestyle, Sean O'Malley being the latest one among them.
In an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, O'Malley said that Pimblett's habits could lead to an eating disorder in the long run:
"Dude, the reason Paddy 'The Baddy' [Pimblett] gets as big as he is because it's like you get this mental disorder... He gets up to 200 pounds! That's like me getting up to like 190 or 185. That's sad. It gives you this mental disorder from eating."
Watch the video below:
In a video uploaded to his YouTube account a few days ago, Pimblett revealed that he had seven weeks to lose 20 kilos (45 pounds approx.) for his UFC 282 fight against Jared Gordon.
#1. UFC fighters in Chechnya on Ramzan Kadyrov's invitation
Investigative journalist Karim Zidan reported on Twitter that Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo, and Justin Gaethje are currently in Chechnya upon an invitation from Ramzan Kadyrov.
Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic and a Russian statesman, is a close confidante of rising UFC superstar Khamzat Chimaev. Fans have long disapproved the association because of Kadyrov's dictatorial leadership and support of the Russian annexation of Ukraine.
Zidan's tweet included pictures of the three UFC fighters testing out hand guns at a special forces facility in Gudermes, a Chechnyan town located on the Sunzha River, 36 kilometers east of Grozny, the republic's capital.
Zidan's tweet reads:
"Former UFC champs Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, along with Justin Gaethje, are all currently in Chechnya at the invitation of the republic's warlord Ramzan Kadyrov. Here they are testing out guns at a special forces facility in Gudermes."
Take a look at ZIdan's tweet below:
Former UFC champs Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, along with Justin Gaethje, are all currently in Chechnya at the invitation of the republic's warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.
Here they are testing out guns at a special forces facility in Gudermes. https://t.co/lJIm8kBHRS
Cejudo had also posted a video with Usman and Gaethje in a private jet sometime back: