A mixed martial arts fighter tragically died following his bout on Friday in Cicero, which is just outside of Chicago. Isaac T. Johnson, 31, collapsed near the end of the third round during the Matador Fighter Challenge event. The competition promoter, Joe Goytia, confirmed that an ambulance was dispatched at 8:38 p.m. CT to transport Johnson to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that night. Goytia received the grim news from a state oversight employee at around 1:30 a.m. CT.
Despite passing a required pre-fight physical examination, the cause of Johnson’s death has not yet been made public, and the Cicero Police Department is actively investigating the incident. Goytia expressed his shock at the event, stating, “I’m still processing this. I just don’t know. I never in a thousand years (thought) this would have happened.”
This match marked Johnson’s debut in boxing. He faced Corey Newell, who was participating in his second fight, in a heavyweight Thai boxing match that mandates competitors to fight standing while equipped with 12-ounce gloves, shin guards, and mouthpieces. Goytia described the contest as a “slugfest,” noting that while both fighters threw several powerful punches, many did not connect. The fighters appeared fatigued during the encounter, and the promoter indicated that everything seemed normal until the tragic incident.
After Johnson collapsed in the third round, medical personnel quickly entered the cage to provide assistance. Goytia reported that Johnson was alive when paramedics transported him. Following the incident, the remaining fights were paused for 30 minutes but were allowed to continue afterward.
While injuries are an acknowledged risk in the combat sports arena, Goytia emphasized the unexpected nature of such a fatal outcome, remarking, “I know all the protocols were followed correctly, but in this case, it didn’t work.” This heartbreaking occurrence has sent shockwaves through the mixed martial arts community, prompting discussions about athlete safety and health monitoring in the sport.