Tragic news for the MMA community, as former Bellator fighter Katy Collins, 32, passed away yesterday, Sept. 25, 2019 after a suffering a brain aneurysm last week.
Collins (7-5 MMA), went 2-1 under the Bellator banner before signing with Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) in 2017. The Branson, Missouri-based fighter was a mother to two sons.
‘Red Dragon’s’ coach, JT Tilley, posted the following heartfelt statement on Facebook, five days after Collins’ battle in hospital.
“The fight is over. You never stopped fighting and we never gave up on you. Just wasn’t in the cards,” coach JT Tilley wrote on Facebook. “I’ve always been so proud of you Kate. We did it. I was honored to be able to live your dream with you. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I will miss you more than the world will ever know.”
Collin’s sister, Kimberley, also posted the following Facebook status.
“I know you would want me to thank all of these friends for the posts and shares personally but Sister you have so many. Seeing them all made my heart smile.”
“You’re my hardest goodbye My Beautiful Sister!” she said in a separate post, per BBC News.
A GoFundMe fundraising page has been set up to help Collins’ family with memorial and medical expenses.