Bellator MMA Fighter Isaiah Chapman Reportedly Shot Dead Outside His Home
By Sam Dunn
Tragedy has struck the mixed martial arts world in the ugliest of ways. Isaiah Chapman, a bantamweight fighter who most recently competed in Bellator MMA, has died. He reportedly suffered a fatal gunshot wound outside his home in Akron, Ohio on Tuesday night.
He was 30 years old.
Got word that Bellator and WSOF vet and longtime #OhioMMA standout Isaiah Chapman was shot and killed outside his home in Akron last night. Horrible news
— David McKinney (@MMAMcKinney) April 8, 2020
Nicknamed "The Beast," Chapman had a 9-4 record as a professional MMA fighter. In addition to Bellator, he competed in the World Series of Fighting and the Honor Fighting Championship. He had won three straight bouts before losing to Patchy Mix by submission at Bellator 232 in October 2019.
Chapman is survived by two daughters, Aubrey and Faith, and a son, Isaac.
A few hours ago a member of our family was murdered. Shot multiple times. He didn't stand a chance.
— Roberta Timberlake Jordan (@bertsprize) April 8, 2020
My heart is breaking.
Isaiah "Monty" Chapman RIP
In these days of COVID-19, it's easy to lose sight of so much of what happens in the world. It feels obvious, but it must be repeated: Don't put off reaching out to the people you love in order to remind them of precisely that. You never know which opportunity is going to be your last.
Our thoughts are with Isaiah Chapman's family at this most difficult of times.