One-time PRIDE fighter and Rings MMA veteran Hans Nijman was killed in a drive-by shooting in his native Holland on Wednesday evening, reports De Telegraf.
Nijman, whose lone PRIDE appearance resulted in a first round submission via scarf lock to Kazuyuki Fujita in the opening round of the 2000 PRIDE Grand Prix, was gunned down by assailants while sitting in his Volkswagen outside of his gym. According to Sherdog, “Witnesses reportedly saw two cars open fire on Nijman with automatic weapons before fleeing and ultimately burning the two vehicles in the nearby town of Velserbroek, Netherlands.”
The shocking incident was not completely unforeseeable for the 55-year-old, unfortunately. Nijman allegedly held ties to several organized Dutch crime syndicates and has faced police investigation over the past few years for various crimes, including drug trafficking and extortion. His gym is also partially owned by Dick Vrij, who recently returned to prison voluntarily for fear of his life. (Ed note: It just goes to show that anyone named Hans is either a professional water polo player or a criminal mastermind with a penchant for small talk.)
Nijman has not competed professionally since suffering a second round defeat via armbar to Cheick Kongo in 2003. Having fought exclusively for the Rings promotion from 1995-2000, Nijman compiled a professional record of 9-6 overall.
One-time PRIDE fighter and Rings MMA veteran Hans Nijman was killed in a drive-by shooting in his native Holland on Wednesday evening, reports De Telegraf.
Nijman, whose lone PRIDE appearance resulted in a first round submission via scarf lock to Kazuyuki Fujita in the opening round of the 2000 PRIDE Grand Prix, was gunned down by assailants while sitting in his Volkswagen outside of his gym. According to Sherdog, “Witnesses reportedly saw two cars open fire on Nijman with automatic weapons before fleeing and ultimately burning the two vehicles in the nearby town of Velserbroek, Netherlands.”
The shocking incident was not completely unforeseeable for the 55-year-old, unfortunately. Nijman allegedly held ties to several organized Dutch crime syndicates and has faced police investigation over the past few years for various crimes, including drug trafficking and extortion. His gym is also partially owned by Dick Vrij, who recently returned to prison voluntarily for fear of his life. (Ed note: It just goes to show that anyone named Hans is either a professional water polo player or a criminal mastermind with a penchant for small talk.)
Nijman has not competed professionally since suffering a second round defeat via armbar to Cheick Kongo in 2003. Having fought exclusively for the Rings promotion from 1995-2000, Nijman compiled a professional record of 9-6 overall.
