Former UFC fighter Geane Herrera, who also competed in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), has passed away.
He was 33.
According to TMZ, Herrera died following a fatal motorcycle crash in Florida.
The Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reportedly said the tragedy occurred around 10:45 PM Saturday at Gandy Bridge in Tampa, Florida.
Herrera crashed into the back of another vehicle at a “very high rate of speed.”
He was only 33. 💔🕊
All we know 👉 https://t.co/PAgfBrtoiw pic.twitter.com/qufnUk2njh
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 21, 2024
Geane Herrera, 1990-2024 https://t.co/9RWLbE0P4Z
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) May 20, 2024
Per TMZ:
Herrera then struck a concrete barrier, according to FLHSMV, before he was thrown hundreds of feet. His motorcycle also burst into flames.
Geane was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the second vehicle was unharmed.
The California native began his professional combat sports career in 2011 when he beat MMA fighter Andrew Connors by unanimous decision at RFC 23.
The flyweight fighter had a 10-3 record, including two knockouts and six submission wins. He also won a BKFC fight in 2021.
Geane Herrera's family has started a GoFundMe to help raise money for funeral expenseshttps://t.co/86YOXbVfB6 pic.twitter.com/O9I4d4zycn
— Express US Sports (@ExpressUSSport) May 21, 2024
Unfortunately, I have to pass along some bad news.
Former UFC and BKFC fighter Geane Herrera passed away at age 33. His family has a GoFundMe here. https://t.co/Vzw2yavzig
RIP Geane.
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) May 20, 2024
From the New York Post:
Herrera, who was just shy of his 34th birthday, made his debut in UFC on Aug. 25, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73 against Ray Borg.
He lost the fight by unanimous decision, but three months later defeated Joby Sanchez by TKO.
Herrera lost his two final fights in the UFC before moving over to Absolute Championship Berkut in 2018.
He made his debut in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in 2021 defeating Abdiel Velazquez by TKO.
The family set up a GoFundMe and tributes have been posted on social media for the late MMA fighter.
“Our family is devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved Geane Carlos Herrera known in the professional fighting world as ‘La Pulga’, whose life was cut way too short at only 33 years old. Geane leaves behind a 16-year-old son, his 3-month pregnant girlfriend, mother, father, sisters, a brother and a family that loves him and will deeply miss him,” the family wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“Geane was full of life, always trying to live life to the fullest, he was a dedicated athlete with big dreams of making a difference and leaving his print in this world. He was such a happy go lucky person that left a mark in everyone that came into his life.”