In a tragic development, 28-year-old Welterweight Joao “Rafeiro” Carvalho has died following his bout with Charlie Ward. The Portugese fighter lost the fight via third round Technical Knockout to Ward, UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor’s teammate.
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The fight took place on April 10th under Irish promotion Total Extreme Fighting’s banner. They released this statement following his death: “Following the referee stoppage João, who was representing Portuguese club Team Nobrega, was assessed by doctors and medical staff at the onsite medical office as per normal procedure. It was determined that he should be sent to hospital. In hospital he received emergency treatment and transferred to ICU later that evening.”
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TEF stated that Carvalho passed away Monday night “after two days of the best medical care and treatment in Beaumont Hospital.”
Carvalho’s coach Vitor Nobrega stated that the promoters took every necessary medical safety standard at the event. The owner of the medical team that was deputed for the event, Katarzyna Michlic, said that there was nothing worrying in Carvalho’s behaviour after the fight and that he was smiling and talking. Nobrega said that Carvalho showed signs of something amiss approximately 20 minutes after the fight ended.
Conor McGregor, who was in Ward’s corner at the bout, posted this on Facebook in Carvalho’s memory:
“Terrible news regarding Joao Carvalho. To see a young man doing what he loves, competing for a chance at a better life, and then to have it taken away is truly heartbreaking.
“We are just men and women doing something we love in the hope of a better life for ourselves and our families. Nobody involved in combat sports of any kind wants to see this. It is such a rare occurrence that I don't know how to take this.
“I was ringside supporting my teammate, and the fight was so back and forth, that I just can't understand it. My condolences go out to Joao's family and his team. Their man was a hell of a fighter and will be sorely missed by all.
“Combat sport is a crazy game and with the recent incident in boxing and now this in MMA, it is a sad time to be a fighter and a fight fan. It is easy for those on the outside to criticise our way of living, but for the millions of people around the world who have had their lives, their health, their fitness and their mental strength all changed for the better through combat, this is truly a bitter pill to swallow. We have lost one of us.
“I hope we remember Joao as a champion, who pursued his dream doing what he loved, and show him the eternal respect and admiration he deserves.
“Rest in peace, Joao.”
