The MMA community is mourning the tragic loss of amateur fighter Trokon Dousuah, who passed away after competing in a charity MMA event in Alberta, Canada. Dousuah, 33, was carried from the cage following his fight at an Ultra MMA event held on Cree First Nation territory in Enoch, just outside Edmonton. His death has sparked serious concerns about the event’s safety measures and organizational oversight.
The Ultra MMA event has come under fire for several safety lapses. Unlike many regions where combat sports are closely regulated, oversight in Alberta is left to municipalities. In this case, the Penhold Combative Sports Commission, a traveling regulatory body, oversaw the event. Critics argue that this approach lacks the rigor needed to ensure fighters’ safety.
One key issue was the event’s use of same-day weigh-ins, a practice that increases the risk of dehydration and other complications. Additionally, participants were reportedly funneled into fights after just an eight-week training course, a policy advertised by Ultra MMA on its website. Basic amateur protections, such as mandatory shin guards, were also ignored.
Alarmingly, Dousuah was cleared to compete despite suffering from asthma—a condition that can significantly impair a fighter’s performance and safety. After his fight, in which he emerged victorious, Dousuah appeared fatigued and winded. Tragically, he was later reported to have died from a ruptured kidney.
Ultra MMA has faced intense scrutiny not only for its operational practices but also for its handling of medical emergencies. Following Dousuah’s collapse, the event was halted due to the absence of additional medical staff on site—a glaring oversight for a combat sports event. The remaining fights were postponed, with plans to reschedule them for March.
This tragedy is not an isolated incident for Ultra MMA. The organization, which has also run boxing events in the U.K., has reportedly seen three deaths occur under its banner. Despite these controversies, Ultra MMA continues to promote itself as providing “safe and enjoyable” opportunities for amateur fighters, offering free eight-week training programs leading to a fight.
Dousuah’s death has drawn comparisons to the 2017 passing of Tim Hague, a former UFC fighter who died from a brain hemorrhage after a boxing match in Alberta. That case prompted widespread criticism of the province’s approach to regulating combat sports.
Veteran combat sports journalist Mike Russell, speaking on The Jason Gregor Show, noted that eight weeks of training is grossly insufficient for preparing fighters for the physical and mental demands of combat sports, whether amateur or professional. “You don’t ‘play’ fighting,” he emphasized, pointing out the inherent risks of stepping into a cage without adequate preparation or safety protocols.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Dousuah’s wife, who is pregnant with their third child, and their family. The tragedy has also prompted investigations by both the RCMP and Alberta’s Tourism and Sport Minister Joseph Schow, who confirmed that the provincial government is looking into the incident.
A training partner of Dousuah, Natalija Rajkovic, revealed additional red flags leading up to his death. Reviewing footage of his fight, she noted signs of severe distress, including a visibly inflated stomach in the latter stages of the bout. “You could tell something was seriously wrong,” she told the Edmonton Journal.
The tragic death of Trokon Dousuah underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight and regulation in combat sports. Whether through provincial legislation or more robust municipal controls, changes must be implemented to prioritize fighter safety and prevent further tragedies.
As the investigation continues, the MMA community is left to grapple with the devastating loss of a promising fighter, father, and husband. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in combat sports and the importance of taking every possible step to protect those who step into the cage.