In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the Edmonton mixed martial arts community, amateur fighter Trokon Dousuah, 33, tragically lost his life following a charity fight organized by U.K. promoter Ultra MMA last Saturday. Dousuah was hospitalized due to critical injuries sustained during the bout and succumbed to a ruptured kidney two days later, igniting a wave of concern and anger over the event's management and safety protocols.

Natalija Rajkovic, Dousuah’s training partner, vividly recalled the moment she observed alarming signs during the fight. “In the video, you can see his body looks normal, but towards the end, his stomach was inflated, indicating something was seriously wrong,” she shared. Rajkovic, who had trained alongside Dousuah for two months leading up to the fight, firmly expressed her belief that he should not have been allowed to compete, particularly given his asthma condition.

“I have no idea why he was cleared to fight,” Rajkovic said, emphasizing that the safety of the fighters should have been the top priority. With Dousuah being a dedicated family man, married with two children and another on the way, the tragedy has left a deep impact on those close to him and the local fight community.

Rajkovic highlighted critical issues surrounding the preparation for the fight, stating, “Honestly, I don’t believe any of us were ready. Training one or two hours a week for eight weeks isn’t enough.” Her perspective is shared by retired MMA fighter and current boxing promoter Ryan Ford, who criticized the event's lack of adequate safety measures in a forthright social media post.

Describing the inherent risks involved in combat sports, Ford remarked, “You play basketball, you play football, but you don’t play combat sports. Whether professional or amateur, entering that ring or cage carries real risks to your health and life.” He underscored that legitimate training and proper coaching are non-negotiable for anyone entering the fight arena.

Concerns are heightened by the fact that the fighters did not adhere to standard protective requirements, such as headgear and proper gloves, which are essential at the amateur level—risks that could have been mitigated. “I said, ‘No chance’ to training these fighters without the proper safety measures in place,” Ford stated, advocating for a comprehensive training period of at least six months before amateurs even consider a fight.

As an investigation into Dousuah’s death is underway, Alberta RCMP emphasized that any fatality not involving medical supervision or a hospital will be scrutinized by law enforcement. The incident has stirred ongoing discussions about the welfare of amateur fighters and the responsibilities of promoters in ensuring their safety.

The Edmonton fight community stands in mourning and outrage as they call for necessary reforms and increased vigilance to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future, demanding accountability and improved safety standards in amateur mixed martial arts.