In Brazil, a former mixed martial arts fighter who went looking for a stolen motorcycle was murdered by suspected drug dealers due to mistaken identity.
Diego Braga, 44, who played 32 matches during his 16-year professional career, was found dead on the street in Rio de Janeiro's Morro do Banco on Monday. According to Brazilian news agency G1.
Braga is the father of Brazilian MMA featherweight fighter and PFL finalist Gabriel Braga.
“You are always in my heart and I will continue to honor you until the end, with eternal gratitude for everything,” said the young man. Braga wrote on Instagram, confirmed his father's death. “Someday I will hold you again, please take care of me as always, I love you.”
braga Posted surveillance video Two thieves stole a red and black motorcycle from a garage in a residential area of Mzema on Sunday morning.
“Please share and help us find these bastards and get our bikes back!!,” Braga implored in her final Instagram post.
The Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter then went looking for his missing bike, searching several areas around Rio de Janeiro until he came to the attention of several members of the criminal organization Commando Vermelho in the Morro do Banco favela. did.
Gang members, primarily involved in drug and weapons trafficking, took Braga hostage, believing him to be a member of a rival paramilitary group. Outlet added.
Brazilian military police arrested an 18-year-old boy on Tuesday who allegedly admitted his involvement in Braga's murder.
Tauan da Silva is said to have told police that his members searched Braga's cell phone and found many militants from rival criminal organizations Rio das Pedras and Muzema.
“The militant tried to escape, but was captured and died,” 2B Da Silva said, according to the newspaper.
The “persons involved” fled the favela after the murder.
The capital's homicide police are currently leading the investigation into Braga's death, searching for the perpetrator in the favela of Morro do Banco.
Braga made his professional debut in 2003 and had a record of 23 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw before retiring in 2019.
He fought future UFC fighters like Charles Oliveira, Milton Vieira, and Adriano Martins.
Braga defeated Jamil Silveira by unanimous decision in the final match of Future FC 7 on July 26, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
After retiring, Braga focused on his career as a mixed martial arts teacher and coach for his team, Tropa Thai, as well as teaching underprivileged children in favelas and being on the sidelines of his son's matches. According to MMAfighting.com.
“For all of us who have had the pleasure of associating with and learning from such male role models, this is unacceptable!” The Tropa Thai team posted a tribute to Braga on social media. In it he said:
