Suspect questioned in murder of Brazilian MMA fighter and teacher Luiz de Franca

A suspect has been questioned in the death of MMA fighter and teacher Luiz de Franca, who was gunned down Monday in his school, Alta Performance Academia in Natal, Brazil.

Natal police chief Silvio Fernando told Globo that a police officer suspected of the killing gave an incriminating statement, but did not say whether charges had been filed.

Iranildo Felix, a lieutenant in the military police, couldn’t account for his activity Monday and had a “weak” alibi during questioning, said Fernando, who works out of Natal’s Cidade Satelite zone.

Franca, 25, was hit multiple times by a .40-caliber pistol from an assailant alleged to be a former student of the academy, which is an affiliate of famed Brazilian MMA team Nova Uniao. UFC fighters Renan Barao, Ronny Markes, Jussier Formiga and Claudia Gadelha are among those who hail from Kimura Nova Uniao.

Two weeks prior, the student had been expelled from the academy for getting into street fights, said Nova Uniao head trainer Andre Pederneiras.

Pederneiras told MMAjunkie that Franca trained with the man, but chose to expel him for fighting and returned his monthly membership payment.

The assailant reportedly walked up to the academy, fired several shots on the academy’s doorstep, killing Franca on the spot, and then fled on a motorcycle with another person.

“Unfortunately, there are people who think they can take the lives of others with their own hands,” Pederneiras said.

Former PRIDE champ and current UFC fighter Wanderlei Silva called the murder “sad” in a prepared statement. He also expressed his condolences to Franca’s family.

“Franca trained with us in Las Vegas for almost one year,” Silva wrote. “He was only 25 years old and never got into trouble. He was a good kid. I extend my most sincere condolences to his family and ask the authorities in Natal for justice! I ask you, my friends, for one minute of prayer for his family who may be suffering greatly at this very moment.

“This violence is revolting. For how long, my God, will our elected officials do nothing? For how long? We need more police with better salaries and work conditions.”

A funeral for Franca was held today in Natal, according to Brazilian MMA reporter Ana Hissa.

As an MMA fighter, Franca had a professional record of 3-0 following back-to-back losses as an amateur. He most recently fought this past April, when he earned a second-round win via armbar. Kimura Nova Uniao jiu-jitsu coach Jair Lourenco on Monday posted a photo of team members holding fists up in the gym in memory of the slain fighter.

On March 23, Natal hosts UFC Fight Night 38, which features a headlining rematch between former champs Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Dan Henderson. The event, which will air live on FOX Sports 1, takes place at Ginasio Nelio Dias, a short distance from the Alta academy.

Stay tuned to MMAjunkie for more details on this story as they become available.