Reports from Brazil have reported that Andre Mussi tragically died following a gym session and collapsed, with the 6ft3in fighter unable to recover after being taken to hospital
Ex-MMA fighter Andre Mussi has died aged 48 after he collapsed following a training session in his native Brazil, with tributes paid to a man who “reformed” the sport.
Mussi won 11 of his 16 pro bouts across six years as an MMA fighter, competing in fights in the US, Mexico and across Europe, before opting to retire and instead focus on managing fighters.
Reports from Brazil, via the Sun, say that Mussi tragically died following a gym session and collapsed, with the 6ft3in fighter unable to recover after being taken to hospital.
Jiu-jitsu star and friend Renato Velame hailed the impact of Mussi on MMA and said he helped bring it into the forefront, saying: “Andre Mussi will be remembered as one of the key figures who helped put Bahia on the national and international MMA map.
“He was an important part of modern MMA. He reformed the business model and helped professionalise the sport.”
After finishing his career as a fighter, Mussi remained fit and kept up his conditioning, focusing on bodybuilding and business investments.
Mussi is known for opening the Rush Academy gym for MMA stars, which helped bring through fighters like Yuri Carlton and Edilberto Crocota.
Velame said the gym was crucial in giving the next generation of fighters a dedicated place to develop their skills.
He added: “In the past, it was hard to open a gym dedicated just to martial arts alone. We made a strong MMA team there. Many people trained there. It was the place for this generation of fighters to go training.”
Mussi is understood to have left behind his wife Natalie and son Joaquim, according to reports in Brazil, with his family based in Rio de Janeiro. The cause of death has not been officially revealed.
