Every time we post one of these awful stories from Brazil, and believe me there have been plenty over the years, I am reminded of just how lucky Mauricio Rua was after the former UFC light heavyweight champion got carjacked back in 2014.
Welterweight veteran Rodrigo de Lima, however, was not as fortunate.
“Monstro” was run down by an Uber driver following a dispute on Sunday in Belem, Brazil. According to a report from MMA Fighting, De Lima was a passenger alongside UFC welterweight Michel Prazeres, before an argument broke out prior to exiting the vehicle.
The driver, who is still at large, allegedly returned and plowed into the former Jungle Fight 170-pound champion, though it’s unclear if he died at the scene. De Lima leaves behind a wife and two children.
Following a stellar run on the regional circuit, De Lima (9-3-1) was given two shots to make something happen inside the Octagon. Unfortunately, he came up empty in back-to-back losses to Neil Magny and Efrain Escudero.
“Monstro” was last seen choking out Luiz Fabiano at Shooto Brazil in June 2018.