MMA Fighter Diego Braga Nunes Found Dead in Rio de Janeiro

Diego Braga Nunes, a 44-year-old MMA fighter, was found dead in Rio de Janeiro on Monday night (15) after attempting to recover his stolen motorcycle by himself. Footage shows the vehicle being taken by two men from inside the athlete’s residence.

Nunes’ body was discovered with gunshot wounds in a wooded area of Morro do Banco, in Itanhangá, in the western region, after police from the 31st BPM (Barra da Tijuca) and the BOPE (Special Operations Battalion) conducted searches in the area. The homicide department is investigating the case.

On Tuesday morning (16), a suspect in the crime was arrested. According to the police, he is 18 years old and admitted involvement in the murder.

Investigators suspect that members of the Red Command criminal organization may have killed the fighter after mistaking him for a militia member. The region is experiencing disputes between the two criminal organizations.

After the theft, the athlete took to social media to report that his motorcycle had been stolen. “Friends, my motorcycle was stolen early yesterday in Muzema, from inside my garage! Please share and help me find these scoundrels and recover my motorcycle!” he wrote.

Fellow fighter Rodrigo Nogueira, known as Minotauro, announced the death of Nunes on social media as well. “Unfortunately, I come to inform the death of my friend and brother, who fought and represented the team for years, Diego Braga. After his motorcycle was stolen from the doorstep of his home, Diego went to the community where he did martial arts work. He was known in the community and that’s why he tried to recover the motorcycle,” a passage from his statement reads.

Anderson Silva, former UFC champion and MMA legend, also posted tributes to his friend.

According to the police, Nunes’ motorcycle was stolen from the garage of his residence in Muzema around 3 a.m. on Monday (15) by two men. He himself shared the footage on social media and decided to go after the vehicle.

Before going to Morro do Banco, Nunes reportedly passed through the Tijuquinha community in the same region.

Nunes was a professional muay thai and MMA fighter. His professional MMA career began in 2003 and he fought against Charles do Bronx, a former UFC champion, Miltinho Vieira, Adriano Martins, and Iliarde Santos.