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Body of UFC fighter Gilbert Aldana Recovered in Arizona

752 views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  ColossalCanadian 
#1 ·
The body of former UFC fighter Gilbert “El Peligro” Aldana was recovered this past weekend in Lake Pleasant near Phoenix, according to The Arizona Republic.

Aldana (6-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC), who was signed to the UFC after posting an undefeated 5-0 record in the Arizona-based Rage in the Cage organization, died in a drowning accident while boating with family and friends earlier this year in March.

Aldana had jumped in the water to recover a T-shirt that had blown out of the boat, but strong winds and chilly water temperatures proved too much for the former Mesa Community College football player. He sank out of sight before a boat could get to him.

Aldana had been planning a UFC comeback prior to his death.

Before he joined the UFC, Aldana began his career with five straight first-round knockouts. The lengths of the bouts, amazingly, were 0:03, 1:55, 0:15, 0:30 and 1:00. He posted Octagon losses to Paul Buentello and Cheick Kongo once he arrived in the UFC, but he was often lauded for his no-fear approach to striking.

In fact, there’s a great story in the latest episode of FIGHT! Magazine written by UFC referee “Big” John McCarthy, who refereed Aldana’s Octagon debut against Buentello. McCarthy wrote that Aldana was gassed and taking some brutal punishment, and Buentello pleaded for his opponent to “just give it up, man.” Without any hesitation, Aldana told him, “You’ll have to kill me first.“

Buentello eventually scored a second-round TKO — but Aldana refused to give up. (If you picked up the debut issue of FIGHT!, be sure to read the story. McCarthy did a fantastic job describing the entire evening.)

In any manner, it’s not too late to offer some help. Aldana’s former employer, Valley Protective Service, started a memorial fund to help his family. Contributions can be sent to:

Christina Aldana
C/O Valley Protective Services
P.O. Box 11568
Chandler, AZ 85248

For more on Aldana, check out:

* Details of Gilbert Aldana’s Drowning Death Emerge
* UFC Heavyweight Gilbert Aldana a Drowning Casualty
* Heavyweight Gilbert Aldana Eyeing Return to UFC
 
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#7 ·
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