Michael Kirkham does after making his pro debut

Michael Kirkham (R)

It is a sad time for the MMA community. Thirty year old Mike “Tree” Kirkham passed away Monday after making his pro debut in Aiken, South Carolina. Kirkham took part in the Confrontation at the Convocation Center” event which was held at the USC Aiken Convocation Center on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Kirkham’s opponent was Carlos Iraburo. Sam King, the promoter of the event, unsurprisingly had no comment to make regarding the tragedy except for announcing his grief, condolences, and prayers to Kirkham’s surviving family and friends.
Mike was nicknamed Tree because he stood as tall as a tree. The fighter was the only 6″9 155lb lightweight in the world. With a an ammy record of 3-3 he stepped into the pro’s. The fighter was also trainer and manager to the Fayetteville Independents fight team. Mike left behind a fiance,Jessica Paulson, and five children, the youngest being a five month old daughter; in which, he jokingly called “his fat mama”. His brother T.J. is also helping out with the family since the tragic death of his brother.
According to Mark Greubel, who trained Kirham’s opponent, “This wasn’t a brutal beating,” the trainer stated. “Carlos shot in took Kirkham down. They were scrambling on the ground. Kirkham was trying to get back up by wall-walking up the cage; he had his right hand on the ground. Carlos hit him with a few left hands in a row, and that was it. Michael was knocked out. The referee jumped in when he should have. Carlos immediately stopped. There were no punches after the referee stoppage. We figured for sure the guy would come to in a few seconds, and he just never did.” As quickly as the bout had started and ended, Kirkham was placed on a gurney, and taken to the Aiken Regional Medical Center. They were unable to regain the fighter’s consciousness. Monday morning, Kirkham was pronounced dead due to a brain hemorrhage.  Tim Carlton, coroner,  added that Kirkham had been unconscious from the time the fight ended until he passed away after a day and a half on life support. The autopsy report that was performed on Tuesday showed that no pre-existing conditions affected the death of Kirkham. It showed that the fighter’s death was the direct after math of blows to the head.

Please take time to help the Kirkham family.

A fundraiser has been started known as the “TREE FUND”, and was set up via paypal. The deceased fighter had no life insurance. Any donations can be made to The TREE FUND.