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Iuri Lapicus passed away on March 20 in Italy as a result of injuries he received in a motorcycle accident the previous week.
On Friday, March 17, in Northwest Milan, the 27-year-old budding mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter lost control of his motorcycle and collided with another car.
He was flown to a hospital and kept there in a coma till he tragically passed away on Monday from his wounds.
The organization Lapicus started competing for in 2019—One Championship—confirmed his passing and called it "heartbreaking".
His loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time, the organization said in a statement to ESPN.
Lapicus (14-2) had previously competed for the ONE 185-pound title. The 2021 match between the Italian citizen of Moldovan descent and the former lightweight champion of the UFC ended in a no-contest because Lapicus unintentionally punched Eddie Alvarez in the back of the head. Lapicus last competed in August of last year, losing to Zebaztian Kadestam. Lapicus has won 14 straight fights to start his professional MMA career.
