MMA fighter dies due to head injuries sustained in recent bout

(Photo courtesy of Extreme Fighting Championship Africa)

Booto Guylain, a 29-year-old fighter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, died Wednesday due to head injuries suffered in a Feb. 27 bout in Extreme Fighting Championship Africa.

Guylain was rushed to the hospital after his TKO loss to Keron Davies, where he was treated for swelling and bleeding on his brain. While he reportedly received care from one of the top neurosurgical teams in South Africa, there was nothing they could do.

"We are devastated," said EFC AFRICA president Cairo Howarth. "This is a huge loss to the sport and to all who know him. Our thoughts are with his family in this trying time."

MMA-related deaths are uncommon, but not unprecedented. 

Oct. 20, 2007: Houston-born fighter Sam Vasquez collapsed after taking a number of shots to the head while fighting in Renegades Extreme Fighting, before suffering a seizure in the ring. Two weeks after being admitted to hospital, Vasquez had the first of two surgeries to remove a blood clot in his brain. A week later he had a massive stroke, and was put in a medically-induced coma. He died Nov. 30.

June 26, 2010: 6'9" fighter Michael Kirkham suffered a brain hemorrhage 41 seconds into his pro debut while fighting for Dash Entertainment/King MMA. He died in the hospital two days later. Kirkham had been knocked out in his final amateur bout, where his opponent had been warned repeatedly for illegal punches to the back of the head. While given a 30-day medical suspension, Kirkham reportedly never consulted a doctor after the initial head injury.

Aug. 11, 2012: In the second round of an amateur bout, Tyrone Mims became weak and tired and was unable to continue the match. After being helped by teammates to the locker room, Mims lost consciousness. EMS attempted to revive him at the scene but were unsuccessful. He was transported to the Medical University of South Carolina hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy failed to prove the cause of death, although no evidence of brain trauma or concussion was found.