Japanese MMA fighter CHAN-Ryu (6-0) has passed away at the age of 21 allegedly due to complications from weight cutting. CHAN-Ryu, born Ryuya Iwamoto, was scheduled to fight Taira Uehara at Shooto 2023 Vol.5 on July 23. He never appeared for the press conference which resulted in the promotion doing a wellness check on him.
21-Year-Old MMA Fighter Dies Due to Possible Complications Involving Weight Cutting
The wellness check was done by a representative of Ryu’s gym in Tokushima, MMA Z Gym, who reported back to the promotion that the fighter had passed.
According to a Facebook post from pro wrestler Ryoji Sai who knew Ryu, he “made a mistake on the point of losing his weight last time, so he was trying to lose his weight this time” for his upcoming fight.