The world of MMA is mourning the loss of Felipe Colares, a former UFC fighter who tragically passed away on Monday morning in Brazil at the young age of 29. According to his coach, Rodriguez Balbi, Colares was hit by a bus while returning from training at his gym in Rio de Janeiro. Although he was alive when rescued by the fire department, he ultimately succumbed to his serious injuries on the way to the hospital. Prior to his untimely death, Colares made headlines for stopping an alleged robbery with his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills. It’s a heartbreaking loss for the MMA community and all who knew him.
Felipe Colares was not only a fierce fighter, but also a dedicated activist for women’s rights. As a coordinator for Empoderadas, he worked tirelessly to raise awareness of violence against women and teach self-defense techniques. His experience as a multi-champion athlete was invaluable in the development of these techniques, and his contributions to the program were widely recognized. Despite his success in the octagon, Colares never lost sight of the injustices and inequalities faced by women, and he was committed to fighting for their rights both in and out of the ring. The MMA community has lost a talented competitor and a passionate advocate, but Colares’ legacy will continue to inspire others to take up the fight against gender-based violence.
