Four-time Strikeforce and one-time BKFC veteran [autotag]Lumumba Sayers[/autotag] has been arrested and charged with the murder of a man at a child’s birthday party in Colorado.
Sayers, 46, was arrested in Commerce City after he allegedly shot and killed 28-year-old Malcolm Watson, believed to be a friend of the man previously accused of killing Sayers’ son, Lumumba Sayers Jr.
Sayers is currently being held in Adams County (Colo.) jail, a police spokesperson confirmed to MMA Junkie. A court representative confirmed to MMA Junkie that Sayers appeared in court Monday for a hearing on bond, which was set at $1 million Sayers will appear in court again Thursday.
According to a report by Denver 7, an arrest affidavit states that Watson was attending his child’s birthday party at a park around 5 p.m. local time Saturday when witnesses say Sayers arrived and shot him in the head. Witnesses say Sayers tried to shoot Watson again with a second gun, but it jammed. Sayers then allegedly tried to plant a gun on Watson in front of witnesses.
Since his son’s death in 2023, Sayers had been an outspoken anti-gun violence advocate, utilizing his platform to speak on the issue. A man named Tyrell Braxton was arrested and charged in connection with Sayers Jr.’s death. However, the case was later dismissed.
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Sayers competed four times in Strikeforce from 2011 to 2012. He went 2-2 with his losses against future UFC contenders Anthony Smith and Derek Brunson. He returned to combat sports competition for the first time in a decade under the BKFC banner in May when he defeated Jeremy Morrison by knockout in 12 seconds.