Japanese MMA fighter CHAN-Ryu (6-0) has passed away at the age of 21 allegedly due to complications from weight cutting. CHAN-Ryu, born Ryuya Iwamoto, was scheduled to fight Taira Uehara at Shooto 2023 Vol.5 on July 23. He never appeared for the press conference which resulted in the promotion doing a wellness check on him.
21-Year-Old MMA Fighter Dies Due to Possible Complications Involving Weight Cutting
The wellness check was done by a representative of Ryu’s gym in Tokushima, MMA Z Gym, who reported back to the promotion that the fighter had passed.
According to a Facebook post from pro wrestler Ryoji Sai who knew Ryu, he “made a mistake on the point of losing his weight last time, so he was trying to lose his weight this time” for his upcoming fight.
He was supposed to compete in March in Shooto’s 2023 Infinity League Featherweight, but the fight was canceled due to Ryu missing weight.
No official cause of death has been announced.
The chairman of Shooto released a statement offering condolences on the passing of Chan-Ryu. “We sincerely pray for the repose of the soul of CHAN-Ryu, and we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has warmly cheered and supported CHAN-Ryu until now,” he said.
Ryu had 3 KOs and 2 submissions to his name and was also the 2022 Shooto Featherweight Rookie of the Year.
Controversy over weight cutting and its effects on fighter health in MMA has been a longtime discussion. One of the most notable instances of a fighter passing away due to weight cutting was Yang Jian Bing from One. After Bing’s death, One instituted hydration tests as a way to mitigate fighters from harmful weight cuts. However, numerous fighters have failed hydration tests and have come under scrutiny from fighters and medical experts.
