Former Bellator fighter Jordan Parsons died at the age of 25 after being involved in a fatal road traffic collision.
He had a professional record of 12-2 and was viewed by many as an up-and-coming prospect but was killed in a hit-and-run incident.
The Boston Globe is reporting that respected neurosurgeon Dr. Bennet Omalu passed on information relating to an autopsy on Parsons which showed signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) on his brain.
CTE is the condition that was uncovered by Dr. Omalu on several American Football players and his findings were at the centre of a massive lawsuit between former players and the NFL.
A deceased cage fighter has been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease. Here's why that matters: https://t.co/geHt42HjeA pic.twitter.com/nuzUeZPvrE
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) October 21, 2016
The discovery of CTE in Parsons now shifts the focus of athlete welfare to combat sports such as MMA and boxing.
Bellator President Scott Coker said in a statement to the Globe: "Jordan was a shining star in this sport and a beloved member of the Bellator family who we miss very much and we continue to honour through the 'Jordan Parsons Memorial Scholarship Fund'.
"Bellator MMA is committed to the safety of our fighters and has been a strong supporter of the Cleveland Clinic for the last few years," he added.
The autopsy on Parsons was carried out by Dr. Julia K. Kofler, a neuropathologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian. Dr. Omalu agreed with her findings.
Speaking to the Globe, Omalu said: "As a scientist, a physician, and a person of faith, I beg everybody involved with these sports to come together and identify the problems and find solutions."
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