(Photo courtesy of MMAjunkie.com, if you couldn’t tell.)
According to multiple sources, UFC veteran and recent Bellator signee Maiquel “Big Rig” Falcao suffered a heart attack in training this past weekend, the cause of which has yet to be determined. His manager has stated the following:
Maiquel is still on the Intensive Care Unit and might stay there for few more days, when he’ll go through a catheterization. He’s lucid and improving fast.
Falcao’s lone octagon appearance, a decision victory over TUF 7 alum Gerald Harris, was memorable for a multitude of reasons. Not only did a timing error deny Falcao nearly 7 seconds to finish a rear naked choke on Harris in the first round (one which even Dana White though Harris would have tapped to), but the third round would become an exercise in tedium as neither fighter would engage. Bizarre to say the least, made all the more disappointing by the fact that Falcao had been so dominant up to that point over a tough guy in Harris.
Falcao was arrested just a few days after in relation to 2002 assault charge and was sentenced to 24 months of house arrest. Though scheduled to face Tom “The Glimmer Man” Lawlor at UFC 134, “Big Rig” was released from the UFC as a result of the charges. Falcao has gone 2-1 since, with both wins coming by way of first round TKO. His signing to Bellator was made official at Bellator 54 on October 15th.
When you all inevitably find your way to the bars tonight, do us a solid and raise a glass in the hopes that he has a full recovery.
-Danga