Former UFC fighter Felipe Colares tragically passed away at the age of 29 as MMA Fighting confirmed the news on Monday.
It has been noted that Colares was hit by a bus on Monday morning on his way back from training in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The MMA fighter was taken to Hospital Rocha Faria in Campo Grande, but died before getting to the hospital as per his coach Rodrigo Babi who spoke to Combate.
The former Jungle Fight featherweight champion went 2-4 in the UFC between 2019 and 2022, earning wins over Domingo Pilarte and Luke Sanders. He left the company following defeats to Chris Gutierrez and Chase Hooper. “Cabocão” competed for the first time since his UFC release this past February under the Ares FC banner, eight months after the birth of his first son Rhavi, and choked out Alioune Nahaye in Paris, France, to improve to 11-4 in MMA.
Colares moved down to bantamweight for his split decision win over Pilarte in 2019 and contemplated staying there. He had also expressed a desire to fight in his homeland of Brazil.
He spoke with MMA Junkie in an interview, revealing his plans and his urge to compete in his native land of Brazil. The Brazilian fighter claimed that he certainly feels good competing in the Bantamweight Division and stated that it was the right move for him.
“I feel so good competing in this division. I know this was the right one for me. I felt strong in there and ready for everything he had. I had the chance to prepare myself with a great camp and study my opponent.”
Additionally, Corales said that he wants to get back in the gym and keep getting better. His next target is to fight in Brazil in November.
“I want to go back to the gym to keep getting better, and if the UFC wants, I would like to fight in Brazil in November.”
