AUGUSTA, GA (WFXG) -
A mixed martial arts fighter from Augusta
is dead after a fight in Charleston.
Mark Gruebel a two time U.S.
kickboxing champion says although MMA is a contact sport, serious injuries or
death isn't common during fights.
"Usually rare, you usually see
more cheerleading deaths than you see MMA deaths," said Greubel, the owner
of Greubel's Mixed Martial Arts.
But the unexpected happened on
Saturday.
30-year-old Tyrone Mims, also known as
"Teesta" died after a MMA fight in Charleston.
In a photo taken just before the
fight, the father of five weighed in with a smile on his face.
Mims was a part of the reality show,
Georgia Boy's Grits-N-Glory. The show follows fighters who train hard at what
they call a "small backwoods" gym known as the Augusta Fight Club.
Details about Mim's death are still
limited but in a statement the club said, "Tyrone "Teesta" Mims,
was fatally injured tonight, possibly as a result of his fight."
Greubel said this is the second MMA
death in South Carolina. The first was two years ago when Michael Kirkham died
from brain injuries after a fight in Aiken.
However rare these deaths may be Greubel
says there may be contributing factors.
"The most likely scenario would
be a genetic defect that he didn't know about. The other possibility that
people don't take into consideration is slamming down energy drinks before a
fight," said Greubel.
The question of how Mims died will be
answered Monday when the autopsy results are released -- hopefully providing
some answers for the unexpected fighting death.
"You never go into the fights
thinking you won't come home, terribly tragic," Greubel, said.
This is the third MMA death ever in the country.
