Former UFC Fighter Geane Herrera Dies Just Days Before His 34th Birthday
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Geane Herrera, a mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2015 and 2016, has passed away just days shy of his 34th birthday. He was 33 years old.
Herrera was riding a motorcycle in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, May 18, when he got into a fatal crash. According to TMZ, which received the information from the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the former UFC fighter was driving at a "very high rate of speed" when he crashed into the back of another vehicle.
His motorcycle then crashed into a concrete barrier, leading Herrera to be thrown a distance from the vehicle. The bike then burst into flames. The late martial artist was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The crash occurred around 10:45 p.m. at Gandy Bridge, and the person in the vehicle that Herrera crashed into was reportedly unharmed.
Herrera's family started a GoFundMe asking for support for his family, which includes a 16-year-old son and his current partner who is reportedly three months pregnant, as well as his parents and siblings.
"Geane was full of life, always trying to live life to the fullest, he was a dedicated athlete with big dreams of making a difference and leaving his print in this world. He was such a happy go lucky person that left a mark in everyone that came into his life," the message from his family read.
Herrera was Colombian-American, developing an interest in fighting at an early age. He made his MMA debut in 2011, participating in a number of fights before he was signed with UFC. After UFC, he joined the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), but had to retire from fighting due to an injury.
Going on to describe Herrera as "a man full of passion, life, love and big dreams," his family set a GoFundMe goal of $50,000, noting that the funds would be used for funeral costs and to support his children and partner.
