Alessandro Souza, one of the best referees in the Brazilian mixed martial arts circuit, died in a motorcycle accident in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday afternoon. Souza, who worked at some of the top MMA promotions in the country, including Jungle Fight, passed away at age 46.
Souza, who was also the vice president of the Rio de Janeiro muay thai league, leaves behind his wife Izabela Miguel and a two-year old son.
Flavio Almendra, a fellow MMA referee who also worked with Souza in the muay thai league, spoke with MMAFighting.com about the tragic accident.
"Master Alessandro lost control of his motorcycle when he was going from the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon to Barra da Tijuca, less than 100 meters away from Miguel Couto hospital," Almendra said.