GoFundMe campaign for Tim Hague funeral expenses reaches goal within 24 hours

A GoFundMe campaign for Tim Hague has reached its goal within 24 hours of its creation after the former UFC heavyweight’s tragic death.

According to the fundraiser page, the donations will help pay for funeral expenses.

The online fundraiser was started after Hague died at 34 following a boxing match in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Hague had been in critical condition and was on life support after suffering a brutal knockout loss to former Edmonton Eskimos football player Adam Braidwood at Shaw Conference Centre.

Hague, an elementary school teacher, was seen in a video of the bout getting repeatedly knocked to the canvas. He was given several standing eight counts before being knocked completely out in the second round. He lay unconscious on the mat for several minutes before being revived. He was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for a traumatic brain injury.

On Sunday, Hague’s sister Jackie Neil released a statement announcing his death.

“It is with incredible sadness, sorrow and heartbreak to report that Tim has passed away today,” she wrote. “He was surrounded by family, listening to his favorite songs. We will miss him so greatly.”

Hague leaves behind a 9-year-old son.

Hague’s death is certain to raise questions about the circumstances surrounding his boxing match. The former UFC fighter was approved by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission with a 1-3 boxing record against 7-1 Braidwood. Hague had suffered a TKO loss this past December in a previous boxing match and suffered knockout losses in four of his past five MMA bouts, with the most recent coming this past July in Russia.

ECSC Executive Director Pat Reid told CTVnews.ca before Hague’s death, “As part of Edmonton Combative Sports Commission combative sports protocol, a post-fight official review is conducted immediately after each competition. Following the news that boxer Tim Hague is in critical condition following a professional boxing match on Friday, June 16, 2017, we have extended the request for reports to all referees, ringside judges, physicians, chief inspector, paymaster, and the presiding inspectors assigned to the bout. We will determine the next steps following the evaluation of these reports.”

Hague earned a 1-4 UFC record and was released from the promotion in 2011 following a first-round TKO loss to Matt Mitrione. Hague had 19 of his 21 MMA wins by stoppage, including 15 knockouts, and had not gone to a decision in one of his victories since 2008.

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