Tag: Robin van Roosmalen

Farewell, fighters: A list of former UFC champs and more MMA notables who retired in 2022

The MMA world said goodbye to more than 35 notable fighters in 2022, from former UFC champions to future UFC Hall of Famers and more.

MMA is a constantly evolving sport with a revolving door of athletes entering and exiting. Currently fighters from the era that helped make the sport so popular are beginning to trickle away from competition and hang up their gloves to move on to the next chapters in their lives.

If there’s one thing that’s well known about combat sports retirements, though, it’s that they often don’t last long. The urge to compete and, perhaps more importantly, get a payday will continue to drive fighters back, even well beyond their expiration dates.

In 2022, there was an uptick in notable fighters announcing they are retired, and we have a list of those who opted to walk away last year.

Bellator fighter, ex-Glory champ Robin van Roosmalen hospitalized, sister killed in car accident

Robin van Roosmalen, a former Glory champion and Bellator fighter, sustain serious injures, while his sister died in the accident.

Bellator fighter and Dutch kickboxer [autotag]Robin van Roosmalen[/autotag] has been hospitalized after being seriously injured in a car accident that killed his sister.

Van Roosmalen, a former Glory lightweight and featherweight champion, was involved in a car accident in which his car was hit by a truck Wednesday in Nieuwegein, Netherlands. Roosmalen sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized, according to Vechtsports. His sister Melissa, 29, died in the crash.

No further details on van Roosmalen’s condition are available as of this writing. The driver who hit van Roosmalen’s car has been arrested.

Bellator acknowledged the news in a statement to MMA Junkie’s Nolan King.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident involving Robin van Roosmalen and his sister earlier today,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with Robin and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Van Roosmalen has over 60 professional kickboxing bouts. He competed in many top organizations such as Glory and K-1.

The 31-year-old signed with Bellator in 2019 and was scheduled to fight Cris Lencioni in October 2019 at Bellator 232. Van Roosmalen missed weight for the featherweight matchup and was forced out. He has yet to make his promotional debut.