Chute Boxe renames Diego Lima Institute in honor of late Allan Nascimento
Diego Lima remembers Allan Nascimento as a loyal friend, athlete and business partner following his recent death.
Chute Boxe has paid tribute to late UFC fighter Allan Nascimento by renaming the Diego Lima Institute in his honor. Diego Lima, who coached Nascimento throughout his MMA career, revealed the decision while remembering his former athlete as one of his closest friends and business partners.
Diego Lima Honors Allan Nascimento
In August, Nascimento died at the age of 34 after suffering an apparent heart attack while sleeping. The death of one of its members deeply affected the gym's routine and, in particular, head coach Diego Lima. Still disturbed by the tragedy, Lima decided to pay tribute to his former athlete by renaming his MMA institute to honor Nascimento.
"There hasn't been a single day when I haven't cried," Lima told MMA Fighting. "Our institute today, the Diego Lima Institute, is not going to be called the Diego Lima Institute anymore. It's going to be called the Allan Nascimento Institute. As long as I live, I will honor his name."
The decision will ensure that Nascimento's name remains connected to the gym where he trained and developed as a fighter under Lima's guidance. The coach also revealed that his relationship with Nascimento extended well beyond their work inside the gym.
Diego Lima Remembers Allan Nascimento
Lima and Nascimento had a relationship that went far beyond the athletic aspect. According to the head coach, the UFC flyweight was not only one of his closest friends but also a business partner who helped him with management affairs and the careers of other fighters.
"He was one of the most loyal friends I've ever had in my life. He was my business partner. A lot of people didn't know this, but when it came to all my management affairs, he was my partner. […] I used to joke with him that when he retired, I would retire too. […] Those plans ended up changing a little bit."
Lima and Nascimento had even planned to remain involved in MMA together after the fighter eventually retired. Nascimento had intended to compete until around 40 years old, with Lima joking that he would retire from his own management work at the same time and leave those responsibilities to his former athlete.
Nascimento's death brought an unexpected end to the plans he and Lima had made for the future. Now, Lima intends to keep his former athlete's memory alive through the institute that will carry his name.
