Former UFC Fighter Dies After Suffering Knockout Loss in Boxing Match

Ex-UFC heavyweight fighter Tim Hague died on Sunday, two days after he sustained a knockout loss during a boxing match.

Tim Hague at a UFC weigh in back in 2011.
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Image via Getty/Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Contributor

Tim Hague at a UFC weigh in back in 2011.

Former UFC heavyweight fighter Tim Hague, who appeared in five UFC fights between 2009 and 2011, died on Sunday at the age of 34. His death came just two days after he suffered a knockout loss during a boxing match in Alberta, Canada.

Hague’s family confirmed his death in a statement. "It is with incredible sadness, sorrow, and heartbreak to report that Tim passed away today," the statement said. "He was surrounded by his family, listening to his favorite songs. We will miss him...so greatly. We ask for privacy during this difficult time."

Hague, who went by the nickname, "The Thrashing Machine," during his time in the UFC, took part in a boxing match against Adam Braidwood—a former defensive end for the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos—on Friday night. The Canadian fighter was critically injured during the match, and while the official cause of his death has not yet been released, he is believed to have suffered a brain injury during his bout with Braidwood.

Hague started boxing professionally several years ago. He was 21-13 as an MMA fighter and sustained eight career knockout losses. He also recorded two knockout losses as a boxer and had a professional boxing record of 1-3. Four of his knockout losses came over the course of the last two years, which has led some of his fellow fighters to speculate over how those knockouts may have impacted him towards the end of his life.

Former UFC fighter Anthony "Rumble" Johnson had this to say after hearing the news about Hague:

Outside of fighting and boxing, Hague was also an elementary school teacher. The principal at his school called Hague a "beloved teacher and staff member" in a statement released Sunday.

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