Michael Kirkham Dies

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA (GaeaTimes.com)- Mixed martial arts fighter Michael Kirkham died after he received major head injuries during his very first professional fight on Saturday at the Aiken Convention Center. The Aiken County coroner’s office revealed on Monday that the 30 year old fighter lost his life after he received repeated blows in his head during the bout which ultimately resulted in his collapse. The news of the unfortunate demise of the fighter has come as a rude shock in the mixed martial arts community, more so as Michael Kirkham is the second person to die in a regulated MMA fight following the death of Sam Vasquez in 2007 who passed away after being in a coma for about 42 days.

According to Tim Carlton, the Aiken County coroner, Michael Kirkham lost his consciousness during the Saturday’s fight after receiving multiple injuries in his head. The MMA fight reportedly turned out to be so severe that it had to be halted by the referee after the American fighter sustained major head injuries. As the paramedics were unable to revive him even after successive efforts, Michael Kirkham was taken to the Aiken Regional Medical Center although he continued to remain unresponsive. On Monday, the lightweight fighter who was nicknamed “Tree” was pronounced dead by the authorities and brain hemorrhage was cited to be the reason which led to his death.

While reacting to the death of Michael Kirkham, Sam King who is the promoter of the event told news sources that his thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased fighter but refused to shed light about the bout that took the 30 year old fighter’s life.