The climbing death toll from the flooding and landslides in the state of Rio de Janeiro have made it the worst climactic disaster in Brazil’s history. So far, over 700 have died in the tragedy, with the cities of Nova Friburgo and Teresopolis the hardest hit, losing over 270 people each.
The impact has been felt in the region’s strong mixed martial arts community. Nova Friburgo is the hometown of well-known MMA manager Alex Davis, along with UFC lightweight Edson Barboza, and other fighters including Pablo Popovitch and Marlon Moraes.