Titan FC Bantamweight Champion Rudson Caliocane Paralyzed Due To Weight Cutting

Another weight cutting related tragedy has struck as Titan Fighting Championship Bantamweight Champion Rudson Caliocane became paralyzed on the left side of his body after a bout on October 19 against Matheus Mendonca.

Combate reports that Caliocane passed out a short time after losing to Mendonca at the Future MMA 9 event, which would lead to the fighter getting immediately sent to the hospital. Caliocane would then be diagnosed with a brain stem ischemic stroke, which is caused by blood clots forming in the arteries of the neck. 

Alex Davis, who is Caliocane’s manager, blames the weight cutting his fighter went through as the reason for the medical issues. 

“I noticed he didn’t look normal.” Davis said. “When the fight ended, it got worse and Rudson’s father carried him until the paramedics arrived. Those of us who are experience in MMA knew it had nothing to do with the fight specifically, but with the sudden weight cut. At the hospital, the doctors confirmed the ischemia was due to the cut. It wasn’t a guillotine or a powerful strike, it was the dehydration.”

Titan FC CEO Lex McMcMahon also issued a statement on the matter via Instagram:

 

 

 

 

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It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of a significant brain stem injury to our reigning Bantamweight Champion @rudsoncaliocane suffered in a non Titan fight in Brazil – Rudson is vacating his title to focus his energy on making a full recovery – please watch the video and click on the link in our bio to find out how you can join @titanfighting to help Rudson with his significant medical expenses by donating to his GoFundMe campaign. We’re with you champ! Get well soon. #titanfc #ufc #ufcfightpass #mma #champion #brazil

A post shared by Titan FC (@titanfighting) on Nov 5, 2019 at 9:24am PST

McMahon also started a Go Fund Me to help Caliocane with medical costs and Caliocane issued a statement as well on that Go Fund Me page:

“With the approval of Titan FC, I took a fight last week in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Unfortunately I suffered a hemorrhage of my brain stem. It is not clear if or when I might be able to fight again. Because of this, I have decided to vacate my Titan FC Bantamweight World Championship Title, out of fairness to the division, and to Titan FC and lex McMahon who has given me the opportunity to fight for and hold the belt, and have treated me so well. Hopefully, I can come back and reconquer the Titan FC Bantamweight division in the near future. However, for now I must concentrate on on my health and getting better.”

Future MMA President Jorge Oliveira also told Combate that the promotion is going to adopt new weigh-in policies in the near future.

Caliocane still hopes to return to fighting in the future, but whether or not that can happen hasn’t been determined at this time.