CAGE FIGHTER DIES AFTER MATCH


(Caption): Michael Kirkham died from internal injuries it is believed


A CAGE fighter has died from a brain bleed after taking part in his first professional MMA bout.

Michael Kirkham, 30, collapsed during the fight and was taken to a nearby hospital but never regain consciousness.

Known as Tree because of his 6ft 9" build, Michael was fighting at Dash Entertainment and King MMA co-promoted fight night at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

The Aiken county coroner ruled his death accidental and the South Carolina Athletic Commission, which regulates MMA in the state, are investigating.

Following a autopsy, the coroner said his injuries were internal and caused by a haemorrhage on his brain. There were no major external injuries.

Sam King, one of the promoters, said: "Obviously our thoughts are with the family, other than that I have no comment to make."

According to reports Kirkham was taken down early in the match which the referee stopped after Michael  subjected to a G'n'P onslaught.

However, he never regain consciousness and was quickly taken to the nearby hospital three minutes away. Kirkham never regain consciousness and died on the Monday, two after the fight.

He had a 3-3 amateur record and fought out of the Fayetteville Independents MMA team.

South Carolina only sanctioned MMA last year after the State took over responsibility for regulating the sport. Under rules it instiogated all MMA and boxing fighters must undergo both an eye exam and physical examination by a doctor before they are allowed to compete.

He is the second fighter to die since the sport became regulated in the US. Sam Vasquez died in Houston, Texas, in November 2007, a being in a coma for more than 40 days.

There has been concverns raised in medical quarters that amateur fighters are moving up to semi-pro and pro too quickly and haven't the body conditioning to fight safely. Worries about fighters radically cutting weight before fights have also been raised.

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MUGGERS TERROR AS NINJAS RESCUE ROBBED MAN


FIVE ninjas gave robbers the fright of their lives when they came running to rescue their victim.

The German commuter was being robbed of his mobile in an alleyway in Sydney, Australia, by three thugs after they earlier demanded his wallet as he sat alone on a late night train.

After getting off at his stop, the three assailants followed the 27-year-old before bustling him into the darkened alley.

Unfortunately for the robbers - who must of thought their game was going to plan - they had picked a sport right in front of the Ninja Senshi Ryu school doors.

The first the knew of their error was when they were interrupted from kicking their helpless victim to see a ninja warrior running towards them.

Earlier a ninja student had gone outside and saw the attack on the exchange student.  In true Shinobi thinking he ran back to his instructor Sensei Kaylan Soto and three of his dojo comrades for help.