There was tragic news out of the world of MMA on Friday, as ONE Championship officials announced that Yang Jian Bing, a 21-year-old fighter who had been preparing for a bout against Geje Eustaquio at the "Spirit of Champions" event in the Phillipines today, died while attempting to make weight for the fight.
Bing (5-1), a Chinese-born fighter, struggled to make weight and ONE Championship officials actually canceled the bout. Eustaquio created a Facebook post announcing that the fight had been canceled and revealing that Bing "was rushed to the hospital due to dehydration and possible heat stroke."
Victor Cui, ONE Championship CEO, posted his own Facebook missive, suggesting that the cause of Bing's death had not yet been determined. Cui later added a new cover photo to his profile, which reads, "In Loving Memory Of Yang Jian Bing (1994-2015)."
An official statement from ONE Championship was released shortly thereafter. Via MMA Junkie...
The ONE Championship (ONE) family suffered a tragic loss when Chinese flyweight Yang Jian Bing passed away on 11 December 2015 at 12.06 PM due to cardiopulmonary failure. The formal hospital medical reports and procedures are still being carried out. He was 21 years old.
Yang, a native of China was hospitalized at the San Juan De Dios Hospital in Pasay, Philippines, after a sudden collapse on the morning of 10 December 2015.
At the hospital, Yang received the best medical care possible while ONE officials continuously updated his family directly from his hospital bedside.
CEO of ONE Championship, Victor Cui said, "There is nothing more profoundly tragic and sad than when a member of the ONE Championship family, current or past, passes away. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Yang Jian Bing. We will work closely with the family and offer all the support they need in any way we can during this very difficult time."
Cui added, "I want to thank all sports fans around the world for their concern, thoughts and prayers. At this time, we appreciate everyone respecting the Yang family's privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved son and brother."
Yang competed in the ONE Flyweight Division and his last bout for ONE was on 20 June 2015 and he was scheduled to compete on the card of ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS in Manila on 11 December.
Weight-cutting has been and will continue to be a major topic for debate amongst fighters, trainers and fans of the sport. It is unhealthy and has clearly been shown in this tragic instance to be ultimately dangerous.
