British MMA fighter Jahreau Shepherd was stabbed to death this weekend while celebrating his 30th birthday in what police have called a “terrible attack.”
The killing took place Sunday at a housing estate in Kennington, South London, where family and friends, including Shepherd’s mother, gathered for a barbeque for his 30th birthday. According reports, the stabbing took place at about 10 p.m. local time. Officers and paramedics tried to save Shepherd, but he died at the scene.
A short time later, a 26-year-old man went to a hospital with non life-threatening stabbing injuries believed to have been suffered at Shepherd’s birthday party. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday.
Shepherd was 6-2 in his professional MMA career, having won championships in both CEA and UCMMA in his final two fights. Shepherd competed once for Bellator, defeating Marcin Żywica by first-round doctor stoppage TKO in May 2018 at Bellator 200.
Shepherd spent time training at Allstars Training Center alongside former UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson. UFC fighter Darren Stewart, who trained with Shepherd, was among those to pay tribute to him on social media.
Words can’t even describe how I feel. I haven’t stopped crying! I got a text from my cousin and still didn’t believe it until I saw people writing R.I.P…….. all you wanted to do is make it in life in mma. You was always on smoke and I loved it because I said to you don’t matter if I’m in UFC, I always wanted your confidence how you was just up for any fight……still crying now as I write this. It hasn’t hit me yet I ain’t took it in yet. I can’t even talk to anyone right now I’m so fucking hurt. I promise you bro I’ll do what ever it takes to make it because you was a real one that always supported me AAAAAALWAYS! 🙏🏾❤️ R.I.P
A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover funeral costs for Shephard’s family.
