Tag: Jahreau Shepherd

Darren Stewart explains UFC on ESPN+ 32 dedication to friend Jahreau Shepherd

Darren Stewart entered UFC on ESPN+ 32 with a heavy heart after Jahreau Shepherd’s death.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag] entered UFC on ESPN+ 32 with a heavy heart, but he still picked up a victory.

Stewart (12-5 MMA, 5-1 UFC) defeated Maki Pitolo with a first-round submission Saturday. In doing so, he didn’t forget the memory of a friend, [autotag]Jahreau Shepherd[/autotag] – a fellow MMA fighter, who was killed July 11 when celebrating his 30th birthday.

“I feel like the anger and emotion kind of slowed me down a bit,” Stewart said during his post-fight news conference. “Everyone said I performed well. I need to watch it back. But tomorrow? I think it’s gone, finally. I needed to let it out somehow.”

Stewart offered up advice to others who might be suffering from loss, encouraging them to talk with others or pick up hobbies to keep their minds off of tragedies.

“If you’re going through something like that, speak to someone about it – or go do something you love,” Stewart said. “It was hard at home. I’m upset. People won’t see it. I laugh and joke on Instagram. I make little TikToks here and there. But outside of that, I was hurt. … I want to just do something – that kind of thing because I’m just angry of what happened to him. I know I need to fight. I need to fight, man. We could do this on the street, but I’m happy I took the fight.”

As for what’s next, Stewart said he considered implementing an on-call lifestyle, just in case the UFC needs a fighter on short-notice. However, Stewart has had second guesses.

“At first, I wanted to do that, but I didn’t know how hard it was to miss weight,” Stewart said. “It’s crazy. Because of the heat (in Las Vegas), you think it’s hard to make weight … It’s a madness – oh my God. I’ll be good. I’ll be good. If I can fly, I’ll come back again and quarantine again. Yeah, I’ll do it. After this fight, I’m trying to stay ready.”

UFC on ESPN+ 32 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streamed on ESPN+.

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MMA fighter Jahreau Shepherd stabbed to death at his 30th birthday party

Bellator veteran Jahreau Shepherd was stabbed to death this weekend in a affluent neighborhood outside of London while celebrating his 30th birthday in what police have called a “terrible attack.” MMA Junkie has the rest of the tragic details here …

Bellator veteran Jahreau Shepherd was stabbed to death this weekend in a affluent neighborhood outside of London while celebrating his 30th birthday in what police have called a “terrible attack.”

MMA Junkie has the rest of the tragic details here and there’s already been a memorial set up where Shepherd lost his life.

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RIP CHAMP @jaynightmare_mma

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Bellator veteran Jahreau Shepherd stabbed to death during 30th birthday celebration

Jahreau Shepherd was at a family barbeque in his honor when he was attacked in South London.

British MMA fighter [autotag]Jahreau Shepherd[/autotag] was stabbed to death this weekend while celebrating his 30th birthday in what police have called a “terrible attack.”

The killing took place Sunday at a housing estate in Kennington, South London, where family and friends, including Shepherd’s mother, gathered for a barbeque for his 30th birthday. According reports, the stabbing took place at about 10 p.m. local time. Officers and paramedics tried to save Shepherd, but he died at the scene.

A short time later, a 26-year-old man went to a hospital with non life-threatening stabbing injuries believed to have been suffered at Shepherd’s birthday party. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday.

Shepherd was 6-2 in his professional MMA career, having won championships in both CEA and UCMMA in his final two fights. Shepherd competed once for Bellator, defeating Marcin Żywica by first-round doctor stoppage TKO in May 2018 at Bellator 200.

Shepherd spent time training at Allstars Training Center alongside former UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson. UFC fighter Darren Stewart, who trained with Shepherd, was among those to pay tribute to him on social media.

Words can’t even describe how I feel. I haven’t stopped crying! I got a text from my cousin and still didn’t believe it until I saw people writing R.I.P…….. all you wanted to do is make it in life in mma. You was always on smoke and I loved it because I said to you don’t matter if I’m in UFC, I always wanted your confidence how you was just up for any fight……still crying now as I write this. It hasn’t hit me yet I ain’t took it in yet. I can’t even talk to anyone right now I’m so fucking hurt. I promise you bro I’ll do what ever it takes to make it because you was a real one that always supported me AAAAAALWAYS! 🙏🏾❤️ R.I.P

A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover funeral costs for Shephard’s family.

Jahreau Shepherd was victorious at Bellator 200.