Authorities issue statement after Canadian MMA fighter's death raises serious questions about safety and ethics

Canadian authorities have addressed the recent passing of an MMA fighter. The tragic death has precipitated serious questions regarding sports safety and ethics, particularly in combat sports.

As reported by Global News, the U.K.-based Ultra MMA put together a charity MMA event at the Enoch Community Center located in the First Nation area, west of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

The amateur MMA event, held for charity, was scheduled to feature 19 MMA fights. Trokon 'Tee' Dousuah competed in the card's second fight, suffered medical distress and was taken backstage and later to the hospital. Dousuah reportedly fell into a coma and passed away the next morning.

Edmonton's Wolfhouse Gym co-owner and veteran fighter Ryan Ford alluded to the apparent lack of precautionary measures. Ford suggested that for amateur MMA fights, competitors generally use bigger gloves, head-guards, shin-guards and other protective gear, most of which was supposedly missing on the night.

Presently, the Alberta RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is looking into the incident of Dousuah's passing. Meanwhile, Ultra MMA has issued their condolences to Dousuah's family and friends. Ultra MMA also highlighted that the event was sanctioned by the Central Combative Sports Commission.

According to the CBC, the Alberta government will be reviewing the tragic death. The incident is under review by the province alongside the ongoing RCMP investigation. Justice Carrie Sharpe had recently emphasized that the Canadian sports system of multiple municipal sanctioning bodies should be replaced by a more centralized single governing body system.

Joseph Schow, Alberta's Tourism and Sport Minister, pointed out that the provincial government didn't have jurisdiction over the event that transpired in the First Nation area. Nevertheless, Schow noted:

"We will be in contact with Enoch to find out more of what happened and then take action."

Chairman Todd Liebig of the Central Combative Sports Commission, which sanctioned the event, explained that the investigations are underway:

"We are working with authorities to understand what was going on."

RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff explained that an autopsy was conducted, but the cause of death is yet to be determined. The police are awaiting the results.

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Calls for investigation after Trokon Dousuah's passing, support for his family

Journalist Mike Russell tweeted a video of Dousuah, who received assistance to walk out after the match. Russell indicated that the event had same-day weigh-ins, no obligatory shin pads, and merely eight weeks of training by the same coaches who promoted the event.

The CBC reported that other participants had joined the chorus for an investigation. Charles Proulx and Natalija Rajkovic were to compete at the event but couldn't because it was called off soon after Dousuah's fight.

The 33-year-old is survived by his wife and two sons, aged 12 and 3. Furthermore, his wife is expecting a third child. A GoFundMe page has been set up by Tina Dorway to help with funeral expenses and to provide his young family support for a stable future.