As a result of the untimely demise of ONE Championship competitor Iuri Lapicus, the world of mixed martial arts has lost one of its brightest and most potential future stars.
The man, who was 27 years old, passed away on Monday, March 20, as a result of the severe injuries he had incurred in a motorbike accident late the previous week.
The unfortunate information was shared on the official website of ONE Championship. In addition, a statement was issued by the promotion in regards to the unexpected loss of the star:
Iuri Lapicus was a beloved member of the ONE Championship family, and we are all devastated by his untimely loss. During this sad time, we are keeping his family and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. It has been reported by an Italian news organization called Milano Today that Lapicus was in a coma before he passed away.
Lapicus was one of the most intriguing fighters in ONE Championship, and he made quick work of the other competitors when he first began competing for the company. Because of his unrelenting manner, he quickly became one of the organization’s most popular player among fans.
How did Iuri Lapicus die?
The Moldovan star quickly established himself as a dangerous contender in the packed lightweight class by combining a high-powered Muay Thai game with a skilled Brazilian jiu-jitsu approach on the ground. This allowed him to make a reputation for himself as a formidable competitor.
In order to prepare for his world championship challenge against ONE lightweight world champion Christian Lee in October 2020, Lapicus earned submission victories over both Shannon Wiratchai and a former world champion at the featherweight division of ONE, Marat Gafurov.
Iuri Lapicus was still considered a major danger in the 170 pound category of ONE Championship despite the fact that he was unsuccessful in his attempt to win the world championship versus Lee at ONE: Inside The Matrix.
In April 2021, Lapicus competed against the MMA icon Eddie Alvarez. In August 2022, Lapicus fought former ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam in what would be his final bout inside the ring.
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