Former Bellator MMA and Legacy Fighting Championship talent Ivan Cole has reportedly shot and killed himself.
According to a post on CBS DFW’s Facebook page, the 25-year-old allegedly killed himself while playing Russian roulette, reports Sherdog.
BREAKING NEWS: Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ivan “J.P.” Cole killed himself while reportedly playing roulette with gun in…
Posted by CBS DFW on Saturday, June 11, 2016
Dallas Police Department have confirmed that Cole was found dead after officers responded to a shooting in a north Dallas apartment.
The statement read:
The death of Mr. Cole will be classified as an unexplained death pending the results of the autopsy.
However, in a statement on a GoFundMe page, Cole’s wife Kymberli attributed his death to ‘gunplay’, adding: “He made a bad decision that cost him his life.”
Cole’s mother couldn’t confirm details behind the shooting but said there are a number of rumours circulating.
She told the Daily News:
Some say it was about money, someone said something about Russian Roulette, but I don’t have any facts now. I’m devastated at this time.
Born in New Orleans, Cole compiled a 2-3 MMA record over the course of a career that began in 2012.
According to Sherdog, he competed once for Legacy FC, losing a split decision to Evan Martinez in August 2012 and once for Bellator, suffering a first-round submission loss to George Pacurariu on March 27th, 2015 in what turned out to be his last fight.
Our thoughts are with Ivan’s family and friends.
