In a tragic example of a life that ended far too soon, the highly talented and promising MMA fighter, Guram Gugenishvili, died in November 2014 as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident.

The Sad Details

The final story and details of the crash or the specific injuries suffered by the athlete were never fully revealed. Guram Gugenishvili was at the peak of his fighting career and had made a name for himself on the international stage by winning some great fights and setting records, such as his 10-0 win record that propelled him to stardom. Although long stints on the sidelines due to injuries had hindered his progress, he was in the middle of re-igniting his career at the time of the car accident. The cage fighter was due to fight in Japan from the end of 2014 until early 2015; however, tragedy struck, and the MMA world was robbed of great talent.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer

Incidents like this make you wonder whether a good lawyer could have made a difference. You never know when a car accident can happen, but when it does, you will need the services of a great auto accident attorney, such as Michael Ehline.

Michael, and the rest of the other car accident lawyers at Ehline Law Firm, have years of experience helping car crash victims with their auto insurance claims process. We invite you to give us a call at (833) – LETS SUE to schedule a free consultation with an auto accident lawyer today.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, a lot can happen within a short period. Even though you will obviously need to find personal injury lawyers, it is important to take the necessary steps.

Your own safety, as well as the success or failure of your car accident claim, will depend on your decision-making and doing the following:

Move to Safety

Even minor car accidents, such as a fender bender, can cause major fatalities if the victims do not move to safety as soon as possible. Vehicles that have been involved in a crash and are left in the middle of the road where the accident happened can result in a huge car wreck.

Seek Medical Treatment for Your Injuries

Regardless of how minor the injuries may seem, you should always see a doctor as soon as possible to be safe. Hidden injuries have been the cause of many auto accident-related deaths, especially in cases of traumatic brain injuries.

You will also need to provide medical records when seeking fair settlement as part of your personal injury claim, and this will only be available if a doctor treats you after the car crash.

Collect Evidence

In cases where the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to pay or decides to make the claim process difficult, you may need to go to court.

When this happens, you will need all the evidence you can get to prove liability and give you the best chances of success.

Before seeking a lawyer, start by gathering the following:

• Detailed police report
• Pictures of the accident scene show images of shattered glass, damage to vehicles (including minor damage), the relative position of all cars involved, and the location of the car accident.
• Information about the other driver’s insurer.

Find a Personal Injury Attorney

Winning an insurance claim will be difficult without a good car accident lawyer by your side. Besides not being familiar with important things, such as whether or not your state has no-fault laws, the insurance company may make things difficult for you.

That is why you should let us handle this stressful situation by providing you with legal representation from an experienced lawyer. You can let your lawyer talk to the other party, insurance companies, and the insurance adjuster on your behalf.

10 Mistakes to Avoid After Car Accidents

Most personal injury attorneys work hard to give their clients the best advice.

Still, they regularly encounter the same issues over and over again, with clients who make the following common errors that can jeopardize any potential claim:

• Leaving the accident scene without having a police report filed
• Not gathering enough evidence
• They Admit fault without consulting a good attorney
• Not having personal injury protection (PIP)
• Delaying medical treatment
• Interfering with insurance adjusters
• Not informing their own insurance company
• Trying to handle their own claim
• Being intimidated by insurance companies
• Not hiring a good car accident attorney.

Damages a Car Accident Attorney Can Win for You

Car accident attorneys, such as those at Ehline Law, work hard to make sure that they serve the best interests of their clients and win the following damages for them:

• Medical Bills

Medical bills can be the biggest expense for car crash victims. In cases of serious injuries, even after the patient is released from the hospital, they may still need to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation process, which can be quite expensive. This is why, after a car wreck, ensuring that you have all your medical records ready is important for your car accident claim.

• Lost Wages

The right lawyer will always prioritize winning damages for lost wages when their client cannot work while recovering from their injuries. In some cases, the insurance policy limits the amount that can be paid for lost wages, but our super lawyers know other ways to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

• Property Damage

Any damage to your vehicle also needs to be compensated by the other driver’s insurer, regardless of how minor it is.

Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Our reputation for having a stellar attorney/client relationship is based on years of ensuring that car accident victims get the best legal advice and representation possible. While many law firms these days focus on attorney advertising without living up to their claims, we will:

• Negotiate With the Fault Driver’s Insurer in Your Car Accident Claim

Before you have your lawyer issue a lawsuit on your behalf, a lot can be done to avoid having to go to court. A good car accident lawyer will negotiate for an out-of-court settlement with the other driver’s insurance company as the first step.

• Provide Legal Representation in Court

At Ehline Law, fighting for your legal rights is what we do best. Regardless of the situation’s seriousness, for example, if you have been tricked into admitting fault because of not knowing what constitutes acceptance, we can still win the case for you in court.

• Win the Maximum Insurance Settlement

Many clients who handle their own cases end up settling for less compensation than they could have walked away with if they had hired an experienced car accident lawyer, even after deducting lawsuit-related expenses, such as filing fees.

• Provide a Confidential Relationship

Conduct a simple zip code search for Ehline Law or take a look at the many reviews from happy clients. We stand head and shoulders above the rest because we are top-tier lawyers and offer absolute confidentiality in all our dealings.

Ehline Law Attorneys Could Have Helped Guram Gugenishvili!

When terrible accidents happen, such as the one that took the life of Guram Gugenishvili, the at-fault driver and his insurance company have to pay! If you are looking for a reliable, experienced, and confidential car accident lawyer, then look no further than Ehline Law. Please enter your zip code, start the search, and find our website today.

We are here to assist all car crash victims in getting the justice they deserve when going against insurance companies trying to avoid offering the proper settlements. Visit our law offices for a free consultation, or give us a call at (833) – LETS SUE right now!

Everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings when it comes to MMA fighting. It can be incredibly dangerous because they put themselves on the line in their fights.

MMA Fighters Get Hurt in and Out of the Ring

But accidents sometimes happen in and outside the ring. Sometimes people or even their dogs are killed. When an accident happens, a personal injury law firm needs to be called to help the prize fighter or other victim get the compensation they deserve. This post will update you on Chris Cocores, an MMA fighter, in a tragic accident a few years ago. Below, Los Angeles car accident attorney Michael Ehline will discuss his case and a little bit about his fighting spirit. Let’s go!

Who Is Chris Cocores?

Cocores went to South Tahoe High School while being homeschooled. He had his first fight when he was 19, and his mother, Jodi Fisher, always supported him. However, she fell ill when he was about to fight. He then took himself out of the fight and helped his mother for six months before she passed away.

He was born and raised in South Lake. Cocores has always been known to be a respectful person who has gone through a lot of difficult situations during his life.

The Car Accident

Back in December 2017, MMA fighter and champion Chris Cocores was in a terrible car crash that left him recovering physically with rehabilitation and grieving for his girlfriend. He suffered severe injuries like a broken foot, arm, and back. Also, the passing of his girlfriend and dog was a new hurdle he needed to overcome.

Apparently, he was riding in the car with his girlfriend and dog when the vehicle swerved onto the other lane and crashed into a Toyota Sienna head-on. The medical expenses for this accident were astronomical, so Ryan Wallace created a GoFundMe to help raise money for the accident. This was a tragic time for his family because they were trying to help him recover while paying for the medical expenses.

How Did His Recovery Go?

It was no surprise when people found out that his injuries were severe. Luckily, he was able to persevere throughout his recovery, and he spoke about being stronger mentally and physically. He spent 20 days recovering in the hospital after needing several surgeries, but he worked on his mental toughness.

The UFC fighter spoke about how he has had to ensure a lot of mental and physical pain over the years. He lost his mother in 2011 to pancreatic cancer. Six months later, he was hit by a car while riding his skateboard. His uncle died of alcoholism, and then his grandfather died in 2015. After going through all of this heartache, he ended up in a car accident in 2017, where he lost two more close individuals.

However, he has managed to keep a positive attitude because he believes that these bad experiences have given him a lot of strength and made him the person he is today. Except, he has mentioned that he is numb to pain, which might be a downfall for him one day.

What Were 20 Days in the Hospital Like?

Cocores was in the hospital for 20 days and couldn’t sit up properly. He has two breaks in his spine, a broken wrist, and a broken ankle. His internal bleeding was so severe because the seatbelt ended up tearing into a part of his stomach. Also, a part of his intestine needed to be removed. He had two stomach surgeries, leaving him with a 12-inch scar on his entire abdomen.

After 15 days on his back, he needed to learn how to walk again. Also, he lost 20 pounds of muscle because of the diet that he was on. Cocores did say that it felt like he was in bed for a year because he needed to learn how to walk again by only walking five feet at a time.

Will Cocores Be Returning as a Bellator MMA Fighter?

It was a hard three years for Cocores, but by 2020, he was ready to get back in the ring. The car crash left him in pieces, but he managed to get through his rehabilitation and recovery fully, so he could look forward to the future. He believes that he was meant to be here and has a purpose, which is a good attitude.

This was a big shock to the MMA fighter because he did not think he would ever fight again. In 2018, he completed an interview where he said that the odds of competing in a UFC match were extremely low. However, he always believed that he needed to fight again, which helped him recover.

However, his goals changed. He wasn’t focused on reaching the UFC again but knew he needed to enter the ring again. After being in the hospital for three weeks, he got a nurse to hold his phone while he began to shadowbox in his room because he wanted to remind himself that he could do this. Luckily, he came at it positively because he said this was his chance to start from scratch.

He also gives credit to the medical professionals who helped him because he says that his recovery would have been a lot different if they had not been around. That is why after all of his surgeries and physiotherapy, he was able to fight again. We don’t know if he had an attorney representing him, but we assume he did.

After losing everything close to him, he ensured he would get back in the ring and fight again. However, this accident taught him that he needs to be patient because he wanted to jump back into fighting. He had difficulty watching his teammates compete and end up in the UFC, but he knew he needed to take time for himself.

Now, he is looking forward to his future in the UFC one day and any future fights he will be in.

Why Ehline Law Firm Can Help with Your MMA Accident

Michael Ehline is an MMA fighter and lover, making him even more passionate about helping those who need a litigation process completed. Every member at Ehline Law Firm is passionate, experienced, and knowledgeable about the subject, so every person can get the compensation they need.

With so much experience, personal injury lawyers know what to look for when their injured client comes to them for help. This is a personal injury law firm that many people have trusted for years with their cases because they know they are there to help them. That is why they offer a free consultation with their best attorney for those who want to ensure they are working with the best team.

Other Ways Personal Injury Lawyers Help?

The personal injury lawyers will gather all of the evidence for the case so that the client can focus on healing.

Battle the Insurance Company

They understand that your insurance company may be difficult to work with, but they will speak to them on your behalf. This is done because an insurance company will try not to give up any coverage money in this situation, balking at the findings of your investigation as to how the accident happened. That’s not right for the client and calls for an attorney.

Work with Injured Client

Overall, the attorney will get all the details about the accident before submitting the claim. Also, they will ensure that all the paperwork is completed on time and properly so the client does not need to think about it. The firm is here to help clients who cannot help themselves at the moment because of the injuries to their health caused by the incident.

Additionally, the team has covered a wide variety of practice areas, so they are ready to help with every accident, including a full-blown jury trial if necessary. The firm will handle the litigation process so that the family can focus on the injured and their injuries. Also, all of the clients that have worked with Ehline Law Firm have been welcomed and looked after like family, even after we collect our fees.

Call the Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Los Angeles Today!

When someone has suffered a bout with car accident injuries, they should speak with attorneys to understand the client’s needs to protect themselves financially. Also, the attorneys should make a claim that will help pay for any expenses regarding the incident. However, finding a team that can help with someone in the UFC may be challenging, but it won’t be if they reach out to Ehline Law Firm.

The team is ready to speak with anyone, an MMA or a UFC fighter, to get the claim they deserve for their suffering. Moreover, the attorneys will be by their side throughout the entire claim process and will be there if a trial occurs. Either way, clients who have an injury will always be treated respectfully by this team with superior, compassionate legal services.

On July 4, 2021, we learned that John Dodson, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight competitor was in a tragic, near-death car accident with his whole family and has since been released from the hospital.

World’s Number One Source of MMA Car Accident News

Injured by a UFC fighter or a UFC fighter wounded by another party? Receive a Free Consultation Today!

It was a terrible start to the Fourth of July holiday; just as John Dodson shared he was set to make his XMMA return on July 30, the injuries from the crash have necessitated his withdrawal as a title challenger. Learn about the UFC fighter car accident claim of John Dodson and arguments of no-fault and at fault.

Wounded? World-class Los Angeles accident lawyer Michael Ehline stands ready to take your important call to get maximum compensation for your injuries or a death in your family.

The MMA Fighter’s Car Accident Shocked Fans Around the World

MMA news was previously overflowing with news of the fighter John Dodson’s success in the sport, but last year, John Dodson fans were shocked to hear of the veteran’s near-death travel experience. Given the gruesome photos and details that the UFC veteran fighter and his manager released, many fans have relayed their sympathies and expressed their relief, indicating that the John Dodson family was lucky no one died in the automobile accident, and we are glad too.

Things could be far worse for John Dodson, so he let everyone know, reminded them how precious life was, and related how luck played a role in keeping John Dodson alive. So even though he missed his South Carolina fight card, he will live to see another day!

John Dodson’s Car Crashed While Traveling from New Mexico to Texas

John Dodson has spoken out for the first time about the horrific vehicle accident that nearly claimed his life and the lives of his wife and three children.

The Winner, John Dodson

The Season-14 winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” and 17-fight UFC veteran John Dodson was engaged in a high-speed car accident while traveling from New Mexico to Texas. It sent his entire family to the hospital, and they were lucky no one had died.

John Dodson’s manager, Ricky Kottenstette, announced the news and even started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with healthcare and other expenditures. Fighter John Dodson received much support from his fans after the tragic auto accident through the GoFundMe page.

About UFC Vet John Dodson

The MMA champion is a two-time UFC flyweight title contender and a winner of The Ultimate Fighter. In 2011, he entered the UFC through TUF, where John Dodson won the competition against T.J. Dillashaw prior to his recent near-death accident.

Titles of John Dodson

Both of Dodson’s title defenses were against Demetrious Johnson. The first was in 2013 when a title challenger Johnson won by a unanimous vote decision loss. John Dodson was defeated a second was at the UFC 191 in 2015 when a unanimous decision dethroned his chances again.

The Agony of Defeat

The last time John Dodson fought in the UFC was at UFC 252 in August last year. Merab Dvalishvili defeated him in a unanimous decision as the flyweight title challenger. Soon after, John Dodson was demoted from his position. He has 17 UFC fights and a 21-12 overall record.

How Did the Near Death Accident Occur According to UFC Vet John Dodson?

The MMA fighter released a public statement via several social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, and Dodson’s manager Ricky Kottenstette. He thanked the designers of the SUV, “Cuz it protected my family and me from dying.”

He said: “Life is short, and you don’t know when it’s gonna end,” … “So enjoy it while you can.”

He went on to talk about liability and fault, stating:

“The car we hit was left in the middle of the highway after that person hit an 18-wheel, and another crashed into it. He had no hazardous light [sic.], no flares, and no other warning to let us know. I hit the car, and we rolled. I don’t know how many times, but luckily the cables in the median stopped us from rolling onto traffic going the other direction. The guy fled on foot after he saw my vehicle rolled…”

The Car Crashed into a Stationary Vehicle?

Yes. According to John Dodson, he was driving down the road with his family when they came across an immobile vehicle stuck in the middle of the road with no hazard lights, flares, or other warning signs to warn of oncoming traffic. In other words, John Dodson and their family were involved in a car accident that was a “near death” event with a fixed object at freeway speeds.

The Vehicle John Dodson Hit Was Left in the Middle of the Highway after Being Hit by an 18-Wheeler

The vehicle landed in the middle of the road after colliding with an 18-wheeler. Dodson’s SUV flipped over, causing significant damage. However, John Dodson and his family were not so severely harmed, as they could have been killed in the near-death car accident.

But they will still have medical bills to rule out whether no one is seriously injured and need financial assistance to cover hospital and other recovery expenses from the devastating rollover. At least we know John Dodson will live to see another day based on the information so far!

The Family’s SUV Rolled Several Times

He indicated that the Dodson family vehicle rolled several times after the collision. Still, in a statement on his Facebook page, John Dodson wrote: “the median stopped us from rolling onto traffic going in the opposite direction.”

MMA champion Jogn Dodson also indicated that the guy fled on foot after seeing Dodson’s vehicle rolled en route to Texas for a vacation with his wife and kids.

His Official Statement

Here is the statement UFC vet John Dodson made to ensure fans of his safety:

He said this —-

“Just letting everyone know we’re all alive and no one is seriously injured. The car we hit was left in the middle of the highway after that person hit an 18 wheel, and another car crashed into it as well. He had no hazard lights, no flares, and no other warning to let us know. I hit the car, and we rolled. I don’t know how many times, but luckily the cables in the median stopped us from rolling onto traffic going the other direction. The guy fled on foot after he saw my vehicle roll. I gotta thank infinite for the design of the SUV cuz it protected my family and me from dying. We’re just lucky no one died, and we can live to see another day and be reminded of how lucky we are. Life is short, and you don’t know when it’s gonna end, so enjoy it while you can. If you guys wanna help us out, there is a GoFundMe account that one of my friends has created to help us out since I’m outta my fight for July 30th. Thank you, everyone, for checking up on us, and we’re just lucky,” said tehformer UFC champ.

The Word is that UFC Welterweight Tim Means donated $1,000 to the John Dodson Go FundMe efforts.

Consequences of the Near Death Car Accident

In his first appearance since leaving the UFC, John Dodson often referred to in MMA news as “The Magician,” was scheduled to work his magic at XMMA 2. Still, former UFC champ John Dodson was forced to withdraw early that Saturday related to new reporters.

Another XMMA Event

Dodson had agreed to fight Cody Gibson, a fellow UFC veteran, at an event on July 31. However, he was compelled to withdraw due to the terrible accident, ending the John Dodson comeback fight promotion efforts.

Need a Car Accident Attorney? Contact Ehline Law Firm Today!

If you, like UFC vet John Dodson, were involved in a near-death car crash that was not your fault, you have a right to pursue compensation from the party at fault.

Ehline Law Can Help

At Ehline Law Firm, we have an experienced team of lawyers with decades of experience representing car accident victims like MMA fighter John Dodson.

Contact us today to book a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case or even the John Dodson case in your local community or another state!

Citations:

• Vox Media, Inc.
• MMA News.
• Fund Me.
• Zuffa, LLC.

Read about Valesquez and Brandenburg Criminal Cases

On August 1, a Grayling resident got hit by a former BKFC (bare-knuckle fighter championship) fighter, Sheena Brandenburg, who fled the crime scene while the victim died from his injuries. It is reported that it took seven months to extradite Brandenburg to Mich, where she was arraigned and incarcerated in Crawford County Jail, awaiting trial.

At Ehline Law, our personal injury attorneys like to dive deep into severe legal issues by discussing real-life events to help create awareness. This article will cover the details of Sheena Bradenburg’s deadly car crash in Michigan State and why it took so long to arrest the professional MMA fighter after fleeing the accident scene. We will also cover the criminal incarceration of fighter Cain Velasquez.

The article will also discuss a reverse legal situation where a former professional MMA fighter, Cain Velasquez, was arrested after taking the law into his own hands, causing another death.

Sheena Brandenburg Lived a Difficult Life

After hearing about the Lambert incident, many people attacked Sheena Brandenburg on social media platforms for reckless driving and cowardice. Some felt bad for the ex-MMA fighter and pitied her for her reckless driving situation. However, before she was arrested, Sheena Brandenburg once said that she didn’t want anyone’s pity because that’s when they stop respecting you.

Not many are aware of the harsh life that Brandenburg pushed through to ensure a healthy environment for her young girls. In 2011, Aaron Kirk, Brandenburg’s partner, went into a local pharmacy to buy antibiotics for Brandenburg as she was not feeling well. However, the trip to the pharmacy was the last time Brandenburg would see Kirk alive because, at the shop, he was shot dead by an assailant who was robbing the place. Unfortunately, all of this sadness prompted her to drown her sorrows at the local tavern.

The death of her partner further worsened Brandenburg’s grief, as she had already had thyroid cancer for more than a year and a half. However, her treatment cleared the cancer a few days after her partner passed. But it took a while before she realized she needed to be vital for her eight and 10-year-old girls and take care of them as a lone guardian.

She further received criticism from her family members, who favored Brandeburg quitting combat sports as she couldn’t juggle between the two; professional fighting and her campaign to raise her two little girls alone. At the time, Bradenburg was 22 out of the 151 female professional fighters who were also mothers, putting her in a rare category.

She never quit professional fighting and instead pushed on fighting while raising her daughters and working at a mechanic shop. She became a licensed MMA referee and judge and learned the techniques of a cut-man.

At the same time, Brandenburg became an advocate for amateur MMA in her state of Michigan, which only allowed professional combat sports. Since she could not get sanctioned fights in Michigan, which restricted her from achieving her professional fighting aspirations, she would travel to different states, such as Minnesota, Missouri, and Nevada, for sanctioned fights.

Brandenburg once told an interviewer that juggling professional sports and raising her children was challenging as she could barely train for 12 hours each week. She also tried to shelter her kids from her matches. However, after noticing bruises, the Brandenburg kids started worrying about their mother, to which she stated that bruises were part of sports. But her trips to the local tavern never stopped either.

Sheena Brandenburg “Puma Starr”

Bradenburg, weighing in at 115 lbs. and standing at 5 feet 5 inches from Flint, Michigan, was also known as the “Puma Starr” in the cage. Although Brandenburg’s passion was to become a professional MMA fighter, she never won any matches in professional or amateur MMA.

Her fight history as an amateur included nine matches where she faced Sarah Neumann, Lauren Foley, Chrissie Daniels, Lizzy Crowley, Anne Malinoff, Cheyanne Vlismas, and Jenny D’Acquisto, Kelly D’Angelo, and Tabatha Ann Watkins. Unfortunately, Brandenburg lost all of the matches, with 33% resulting in a knockout or a technical knockout and the remaining 67% in submissions.

In 2017, Brandenburg entered professional MMA, where she had three matches against Shinju Nozawa-Auclair, Danielle Hindley, and Alibeth Milliron. With a few hours of training, Brandenburg lost all three matches, with one knockout (a technical knockout) and two submissions.

In 2019, Brandenburg became part of the BKFC and had four matches. She won her BKFC debut against Ivana Coleman after losing ten consecutive matches during MMA. However, she was back on her losing streak as she lost the next three bouts against Delaney Bailey, Christine Stanley, and Jenny Clausius.

Crawford County Hit and Run Incident

On August 1, 2020, local Crawford County police received a phone call about a motorcycle accident on Lovells Road in Lovells Township, a civil township of Crawford County.

When the police arrived at the accident scene, they saw a single-wrecked motorcycle and a seriously injured man lying on the road. They transported the 56-year-old man, Troy Lambert, to Munson Hospital in Traverse City for medical aid. However, the injuries were too severe, and Lambert died at the hospital.

Further investigation into the incident revealed that it was not a single-vehicle accident that the cops had initially believed. Evidence suggests that a former professional MMA fighter rear-ended Troy Lambert’s motorcycle, Sheena Brandenburg, after she left the local tavern nearby the accident scene.

Lambert and Brandenburg were at a Crawford County bar in Northern Michigan when, after midnight, Lambert decided to leave the local tavern. As he rode on his motorcycle away from the bar, Sheena Brandenburg hit his motorcycle from the back, resulting in a deadly crash. State police found that Brandenburg did not stop after causing the motorcyclist crash, turning the incident from reckless driving to a hit-and-run case.

Unfortunately, even with the evidence gathered by law enforcement, they still could not arrest Brandenburg for killing the motorcyclist. It was because she had already fled Michigan. The local authorities issued a warrant against the MMA fighter but could not arrest her because they did not know where she was.

In November, police received information that Sheena Brandenburg was residing in Elsberry, Missouri. They promptly informed the Elsberry Police Department and provided them with the warrant for her arrest. The local authorities arrested Brandenburg and sent her to Lincoln County, Missouri Jail, from where she was extradited to Michigan State Police. They placed her in Crawford County jail to await her charges over allegations Sheena Brandenburg hit and killed the motorcyclist and left Michigan. The investigation continues as she prepares for trial.

Brandenburg’s Criminal Record

The arrest in Elsberry was not the former MMA fighter’s first taint in her criminal record before fleeing Michigan State Police. Crawford County Court online records showed a history of arrests for drunk-driving offenses by the bare-knuckle fighter.

In 2010, 2012, and 2016, police arrested Brandenburg for operating under the influence of liquor. Even though she had not killed anyone before Lambert’s case, these arrests were concerning as she was drinking at the same bar as Lambert before hitting his motorcycle in the back and fleeing. Her history of arrests revolved around drunk driving accidents.

When the northern Michigan police issued a warrant for her arrest, Brandenburg was set to face Jenny Clausius in the cage at BKFC 15. She continued with the match and lost in the second round when the doctor stopped the fight.

BKFC President’s Statement Following Arrest

Upon Sheena Brandenburg’s arrest, MMA Junkie approached BKFC President David Feltman for comments on the incident. Feltman disclosed that not all athlete communities in combat sports conduct criminal background checks, allowing wrestlers to fight in the cage. He also stated that he had never received any calls from any law enforcement authority regarding her arrest. Hence, the organization was unaware of the Northern Michigan incident, which is why she participated in the match against Jenny Clausius.

David Feltman offered his deepest condolences to the victim’s family for the horrific Northern Michigan reckless driving incident and deadly crash.

An Arraignment in Crawford County

Sheena Brandenburg’s arraignment occurred in March 2021, more than seven months after her hit-and-run incident.

In the 46th District in Crawford County, Brandenburg faced the justice system that set her bond at $250,000 for her two felonies; negligent driving resulting in death and failing to stop at the accident scene.

According to a local news report, Brandenburg admitted to the crime and was sentenced to five to 15 years in jail.

This is not the first time the police have arrested a professional fighter and jailed them on several charges. Recently, police arrested former UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez for attempted murder.

Let’s quickly go over the recent story of Cain Velasquez’s shooting.

Cain Velasquez: Former MMA Fighter Arrested for Attempted Murder

On March 1, 2022, after the California shootings in San Jose, police arrested suspect Cain Velasquez, taking him into custody. The police initially did not know what went down, but they found a gun in Velasquez’s car and two empty ammunition casings.

Upon further investigation, they found that Velasquez was following a pickup truck with an older couple and 43-year-old Harry Goularte, the man charged with molesting Velasquez’s underage relative.

Infuriated, Velasquez decided to take matters into his own hands by following the car in an 11-mile high-speed chase. As he got close to the vehicle, he fired several times with his .40 caliber pistol from his pickup truck at the man accused of molesting his relative. Unfortunately, he missed his shot, and it struck Goularte’s stepfather.

Cellphone footage released by a bystander showed Valesquez in his SUV chasing a truck with bullet holes in the dented passenger door. The footage was only 10 seconds long and clearly showed what went down between the two parties.

On March 2, 2022, Valesquez appeared March 2, 2021, and stated that his actions resulted from a man who had repeatedly molested his close relative at a daycare run by Goularte’s mother. The incident infuriated Valesquez even more, as he had been a daycare client for over two years.

The court ordered Valesquez behind bars in Santa Clara County Main Jail without bail until the judge decided. Valesquez faces ten charges, including one count of attempted murder, one count of motor vehicle shooting, three counts of assault with a gun, one count of discharging a gun from a vehicle, and one count of carrying a loaded firearm with intent to kill.

According to the California Penal Code, if the court finds Valesquez guilty of these crimes, he will have to face a minimum of 20 years in prison. What’s saddening is to hear that Goularte, a man accused of molesting a child more than 100 times, was out on bail and awaiting court proceedings.

After understanding why Velasquez pursued the vehicle and shot at it, many fans and professional combat sports fighters supported Velasquez. People expressed their support on social media using the hashtag “#Freecain,” which quickly gained traction.

Daniel Cormier, an American professional MMA fighter, mentioned how Velasquez supported him throughout his career, and now it is his time to support the former fighter in these dark times.

On the other hand, the District Attorney said it was tragic to see a person take the law into their own hands. However, celebrity attorney Mark Geragos stated that he plans on freeing Valesquez, his client, and handing him over to his family as soon as possible.

Although both stories are entirely different, they share the same moral: cooperate with the law. In the case of Sheena Brandenburg, she did not stop after causing the accident and escaped the state, remaining on the run for seven months before getting arrested. Brandenburg could’ve faced a different situation had she stayed at the accident scene and cooperated with the law enforcement officers rather than fleeing.

The same is true for Cain Velasquez, who decided to take the law into his own hands. Harry Goularte was already accused and on bail while waiting for the court’s decision. Although justice was not as swift as Velasquez hoped, the case was set for a hearing. Velasquez could’ve waited for the court hearing rather than taking measures of his own to ensure swift justice. In doing so, Velasquez harmed Goularte’s stepfather, who became the victim of the entire 11-mile high-speed chase.

No matter how furious you might be at someone, it would help if you didn’t take the law into your own hands, or you might end up in hot water. The reverse is also true. Fleeing justice by running from the Michigan State Police assured that a professional MMA bare-knuckle fighter like Sheena Brandenburg would be found guilty by a Crawford County court of hit-and-run driving.

Matt Hughes is a quintessential sportsman and UFC Hall of Famer, having been the UFC welterweight champion. I place him among the greatest fighters ever for his period in the evolution of modern Mixed Martial Arts (“MMA”).

Pound for pound, Hughes was a whirlwind with his wrestling background and brave demeanor. Hughes is one of my heroes in MMA. And I love that he is a farm boy and even settled a lawsuit against his brother over a tractor. However, it was devastating to learn; he almost died in a train versus auto accident a few years back.

Does MMA Legend Matt Hughes Have A Strong Train Accident Lawsuit?

Angelenos are no strangers to train wrecks. But when an MMA champ known by many fans as the “the Gracie Killer” gets in a wreck, it highlights the risks to fans and the sport. Former MMA champ Matt Hughes is a changed man. In most ways, much for the worse. Hughes was involved in a near-fatal train crash on June 16, 2017. It severely injured both his body and brain. As a result, his career is over, and his life is turned upside down.

Recently, Hughes announced he was suing the train operator responsible for the crash.

MMA Fighting had a good write-up of the situation. Hughes alleges that the Norfolk Southern Railway (“NS”) was negligent by not warning motorists of dangerous conditions at the railway crossing. The facts relate that the train struck the passenger side of Hughes’ Chevy Z71 truck at a rail crossing close to his residence in Montgomery County, Illinois.

Hughes was knocked out and did not readily revive. But there are no allegations of broken bones or other internal injuries other than the TBI and related disorders.

According to the lawsuit’s allegations, NS did not place appropriate warning signs at the site. Even worse, Hughes alleges NS knew of the potential danger beforehand and did not act. Furthermore, Hughes stated that he was driving lawfully before the crash. The collision resulted in severe physical damage and a traumatic brain injury.

On the other hand, the railway believes it is not at fault. NS stated that the crash was Hughes’ fault. The company noted that Hughes failed to stop before the crossing. Furthermore, NS says that Hughes did not see the train oncoming and could not yield the right way. The company goes so far in its rebuttal to state that Hughes “knowingly drove his vehicle onto a railroad grade crossing” and used his cell phone.

This also isn’t the first major lawsuit NS faced recently. The company was sued in a wrongful death case in Virginia. Although I’ve been following this one closely, all of the facts are not yet in. Mr. Hughes has a strong case. In many ways, even if NS’s assertions are partially factual, it is likely, it did not create a safe railway crossing.

It would be a significant and avoidable error if the company knew there was a potential danger and did not place adequate signage at the site. In this way, it likely meets the definition of strict liability.

Matt Hughes – MMA Legacy

Even though Matt never served in my beloved Corps., I have a special place in my heart for him. First, Alexander’s father, Phillip II of Macedon, was in battle, busy building a fortress for his true progeny, his son, Alexander the Great. Alexander likely learned more about his father from his father’s servant, Aristotle, than from his dad. But he also realized that his dad was the one who paid for his private education.

And I am not saying that is the case with Matt Hughes. But I can’t imagine being in combat for years on end would be conducive to child-rearing for Matt; I mean, King Alexander of UFC. But as a Marine, I think I can see all Phillip II wanted was for his son to have a better life than him.

And I know how to read success like a book and see through people better than most. Kings’ typical formula did not include hanging out at home with their mom. At least most kings don’t retire until they pass, and their progeny succeeds them after they die in battle. The most important for a real man is that their blood kingdom remains secured. Unfortunately, moms become fickle when their king is away. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. But I digress.

What Are Some Other Similarities Between Matt Hughes & King Alexander?

Educated as to what a man should be, the child who became King Alexander understood what others thought of his father as a testosterone-filled male. I can see in my mind’s eye what it took for such a driven Alpha male like Phillip II to go on campaigns to secure a future for his offspring, the future king. But in his mind, Alexander ensured that he [Alexander] would become what his father never was to him. If you are so inept as not to know what Alexander became and his legacy, you will never make a connection between Phillip and Matt Hughes.

But I sure do. I see Matt as a guy who had an example from a driven man (dad, coaches, etc.) guiding him into victory as a man. And whether it was his coach or his father, martial arts led to Alexander’s success, as with the great king.

Similarities Between Matt Hughes & George S. Patton?

Sounds silly, right? But hear me out. What sucks is similar to George S. Patton, Matt Hughes was taken away from warfare, at least as a participant, by another’s negligence. Matt was hit by a train that failed to adequately warn pedestrians and motorists at railroad crossings. General Patton was killed by what was characterized as a “fender bender.“

Patton ended up becoming paralyzed and died soon after. So they both were hurt in motoring accidents. And they both suffered nerve impulse injuries. But probably the most significant difference between Hughes and Patton is that Patton was a lot older and more of a coach than a “trigger puller.” Another difference between the MMA GOAT is that Hughes is undergoing brain injury healing, and the old general passed away in a questionable death. Patton advocated attacking communist Russia during the allied occupation of Western Europe, which was an inside job. (Others disagree, stating: “The theory is he either died naturally or from a blood clot“)

The good news is that it appears Hughes was inspired to become a board member of the Triumph Over Tragedy Foundation. This non-profit helps care for families with brain and spinal cord injury problems.

I’m not sure if Matt Hughes will win his suit. But I appreciate the significance of his TBI and am happy he is alive and helping others with neurological conditions. However, we will be reporting newer train or Amtrak accidents and any developments in the GOAT case here.