Former Bellator and Legacy Fighting Alliance fighter Katy Collins has died at the age of 32 after suffering a brain aneurysm.
The fighter was in the hospital for five days before passing away on Wednesday. The news was confirmed by LFA officials on social media after Collins’s death was announced by her longtime coach JT Tilley. He posted an emotional message on Facebook:
“The fight is over. You never stopped fighting and we never gave up on you. Just wasn’t in the cards,” Tilley wrote. “…I’ve always been so proud of you Kate. We did it. I was honored to be able to live your dream with you. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I will miss you more than the world will ever know.”
Originally from Arkansas in the US, Collins was a mother of two sons. Nicknamed “The Red Dragon,” she was in the MMA from 2015 to 2018 with several appearances for the Bellator MMA and LFA promotions. She had a record of seven wins and five defeats during her three-year career. Her last fight saw her drop a unanimous decision to Jaimee Nievera at an LFA show in June 2018.