DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Mixed martial arts fighter Jordan Parsons died Wednesday due to injuries suffered in a hit-and-run in Delray Beach Sunday morning.
Doctors at Delray Medical Center took Parsons, who had his right leg amputated and was in a coma, off of life support at the request of his family, according to manager Glenn Robinson.
“The world lost a warrior, a soldier, a friend, a teammate, a son, a brother, a cousin,” Robinson said. “We lost a good person.”
The 25-year-old Parsons was stuck by a 2012 or 2013 silver Range Rover at the intersection of Federal Highway and Lindell Boulevard. The driver fled the scene after hitting Parsons. Delray Beach Police say the vehicle involved is missing the driver's side mirror and will have damage to the driver's side bumper and headlight.
Delray Beach police are asking anyone with information on the crash or vehicle to contact Officer Dan Cramer at (561) 243-7800 or to report anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at (800) 458-TIPS, online at www.crimestopperspbc.com or by texting tips@cspbs.com.
Parsons trained with the Blackzilians MMA team at JACO Hybrid Training Center in Boca Raton, which is approximately a half mile away from where the crash took place. He was 11-2 in 13 Bellator fights and was preparing for a bout in Bellator 154 on May 14.
“Jordan was an exceptional athlete and a rising star in the sport. But more importantly, he was an exceptional young man,” Bellator President Scott Coker said in a statement. “Jordan was hard-working, dedicated, intelligent, and a pleasure to be around. He represented all the reasons we love this sport. It is a terribly tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates.”
“He was a great, great fighter and a great human being,” said Linton Vassell, a light heavyweight who said he has trained with Parsons for more than a year. “I watched him get ready (for his next fight), and he was looking sharp. It’s such a shame.”