UFC Fighter Shane del Rosario Passes Away at 30

UFC heavyweight Shane del Rosario has passed away after being hospitalized following a full cardiac arrest.

He was 30 years old.

“The del Rosario family and I, and all of our family, teammates and friends thank everyone for their prayers and support,” Oyama wrote on his Facebook page when del Rosario was first admitted to the hospital nearly two weeks ago, knowing that del Resario was in a difficult condition. “God has a different path for Shane to take and instead has chosen to take him away from us to be with his forefathers in Heaven. Yet through all of this our faith in God remains unwavering.”

Del Rosario was rushed to Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital in Newport Beach, Calif., after collapsing in his home on Tuesday, Nov. 26, said the fighter’s representative, Jason House. The fighter was in full cardiac arrest when he arrived at a Southern California emergency room, where he was resuscitated and placed in the coronary care unit in critical condition.

Doctors tried several measures to see if del Rosario might respond, but he eventually succumbed to his condition.

“Doctors believe he may suffer from a rare condition called Long QT Syndrome, which is a genetic anomaly that can cause a sudden and life-threatening heart rhythm abnormality, and may result in sudden death,” House said in a recent statement. “Tragically, it strikes healthy, young people, and often is the first and only presentation of a heart problem.”

Beginning his professional MMA career in 2006, del Rosario reeled off 11 consecutive wins and was widely regarded as a top heavyweight prospect.

In 2011, del Rosario became the victim of a drunk driver and was injured in a car accident. The accident injured the fighter to the point of having to bow out of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, MMAWeekly.com reported in May 2011.

Following the car wreck, del Rosario won one more Strikeforce fight before moving to the Octagon and losing the first two fights of his UFC tenure. He was scheduled to face Guto Inocente at UFC 168, but both fighters had to withdraw from the fight for undisclosed injuries.

Several of those close to him took to various social media platforms on Monday to express their love and appreciation for their friend, but none was perhaps more poignant than from his friend and roommate, UFC fighter Ian McCall.

“RIP to one of the best people I’ve ever had the honor to have in my life and call my best friend. @shanedelrosario helped me threw the toughest time in my life and helped me raise my daughter. Love you big fella. #ohana,” McCall wrote on Instagram, while also including some touching photos.

Shane del Rosario’s professional mixed martial arts record will forever stand at 11 wins and two losses.

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