The jiu-jitsu world is in mourning following the death of Leandro
Lo early Sunday morning.

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Lo, one of the most respected champions of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
history, was shot to death by a police officer during a concert in
Sao Paulo. According to a police report, officer Henrique Otávio
Oliveira Velozo shot Lo once in the head after an altercation near
Lo’s table. The incident allegedly began when witnesses saw Velozo
take a bottle from Lo’s table, which led to the jiu-jitsu champion
taking the officer down and holding him. The two men were
separated, and at that time Velozo pulled a gun and shot at Lo’s
forehead, according to the report.

Lo was taken to Dr. Arthur Ribeiro de Saboya hospital after the
shooting but was declared brain dead a few hours later. He was 33
years old.

A black belt under Cicero Costha, Lo was one of the most successful
jiu-jitsu competitors of all time, winning eight IBJJF World
Championships. A black belt since 2012, Lo crossed three
generations fighting in multiple different weight categories
(lightweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight and
absolute). Coincidentally, his two most frequent opponents, UFC
middleweight Rodolfo
Vieira and One Championship talent Marcus
Almeida, later became two of his closest friends.  

Lo’s death was mourned throughout the combat sports community, as a
number of notables from the MMA community paid tribute to the
grappling standout.

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

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