Dana White steps up to support family of PFL staffer Jeff Brady who 'died a hero'
Brady, who worked for Bellator, PFL and Cage Warriors during his career, is being hailed a hero after he died Saturday while rescuing two children from drowning in the Colorado River near Yuma, Ariz. The two children were his girlfriend's nephews, aged 10 and 12. Seven hours after Brady disappeared because of the current, his body was retrieved from the water. He was 51.
A GoFundMe was launched Monday with a goal of $60,000 to help with expenses for Brady's funeral and his family. As of Tuesday afternoon, White was listed as the top donation of $10,000, with more than 330 people contributing. The fundraiser had collected more than $48,000 at the time of publishing this story.
Brady had just moved from California to Yuma two months ago and bought a home, living with his girlfriend, Elen, and 84-year-old blind father, whom Jeff and Elen cared for.
"Jeff Brady died a hero, but he lived as one too," a message read on the GoFundMe page. "Let's rally together in his honor and show his family that they are not alone."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
an hour ago
- Time Business News
Myktybek Orolbai: Kyrgyzstan's UFC Phenom is Just Getting Started
Baku, Azerbaijan – July 2025 — With a first-round finish that electrified fans and silenced critics, Myktybek Orolbai continues his meteoric rise in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The 27-year-old Kyrgyz fighter has rapidly become one of the most talked-about names in mixed martial arts, combining raw power, elite-level grappling, and unshakable focus inside the Octagon. His latest performance in Baku sent a clear message to the MMA world: Orolbai isn't just a prospect — he's a future champion in the making. 'This is only the beginning for Myktybek,' said his longtime manager Vlad Niktin following the win. 'He's not just talented — he's special. He has all the tools to be a UFC world champion, not in a few years, but very soon. He trains like a beast, listens like a student, and fights like a warrior. The world is just now waking up to what we already know: Orolbai is destined for greatness.' A Fighter Built for the Spotlight Born and raised in the mountainous heart of Kyrgyzstan, Myktybek's journey to the UFC is nothing short of inspiring. Coming from humble beginnings, he turned to combat sports at a young age, quickly mastering freestyle wrestling — a national sport in Central Asia. His success on the mat laid the foundation for what would become a seamless transition into mixed martial arts. By the time he made his UFC debut, Orolbai had already built a reputation across regional circuits in Asia and Europe. His aggressive style, technical ground game, and striking improvements made him a nightmare matchup for anyone. In just a few appearances, he's amassed an impressive UFC record, finishing opponents with both submissions and knockouts — proving he's one of the most well-rounded fighters in his division. 'Every time he steps into the Octagon, he gets better,' said Azamat Abdimital, Orolbai's head coach. 'He's not afraid of any challenge. He trains with discipline, pushes his limits every day, and stays mentally sharp. His mindset is something I've rarely seen — completely fearless, even when under pressure.' Defining the Next Generation of UFC Talent What sets Myktybek apart from many rising stars is his unique combination of strength, speed, and high fight IQ. While many fighters rely on one dominant skill, Orolbai blends wrestling, striking, and jiu-jitsu with ease — adapting his approach based on the opponent in front of him. His ability to finish fights early, particularly in a stacked division, has made matchmakers and fans alike pay attention. At just 25 years old, Orolbai is already being talked about as the 'future of the UFC' by commentators and former champions. But those in his corner know the future is arriving faster than anyone expected. 'Orolbai isn't just keeping up with the UFC elite — he's outperforming them,' said Niktin. 'His training partners in the gym — some of whom are top-10 fighters — are constantly impressed by his work ethic and improvement. He doesn't just want to be the best in Kyrgyzstan or Central Asia — he wants to be the best in the world.' A Symbol of National Pride Back home in Kyrgyzstan, Myktybek Orolbai is already a national hero. His success has inspired a new generation of athletes, especially in rural areas, who see him as proof that with hard work and resilience, anything is possible — even standing atop the UFC's global stage. Social media videos of his fights are watched millions of times in the region, and local sports academies have reported a surge in youth enrollments following his UFC performances. Orolbai has expressed deep gratitude for the support from his country and often walks out with the Kyrgyz flag draped proudly over his shoulders. 'I fight for my people,' he said in a post-fight interview. 'Everything I do is to show the world the strength, heart, and spirit of Kyrgyzstan.' What's Next? While the UFC has yet to announce his next opponent, rumors are swirling about a possible top-15 matchup that could catapult Orolbai even closer to title contention. If his upward trajectory continues, it wouldn't be surprising to see him headlining cards — or even challenging for gold — within the next year. 'Myktybek isn't just fighting to win,' said Coach Abdimital. 'He's fighting to make history.' About Myktybek Orolbai Myktybek Orolbai is a professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC, representing Kyrgyzstan. Known for his explosive style and well-rounded skills, Orolbai is quickly becoming a global star in MMA. Managed by Vlad Niktin and coached by Azamat Abdimital, he stands as one of Central Asia's most promising athletes. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
UFC Cuts Veteran After ‘Toughest Loss' During 3-Fight Winless Streak
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 27: UFC president Dana White (Photo by) We've learned over the past few years that the UFC cuts fighters in small waves of three to five at a time. Usually, you see the names and you're like "yeah, I saw that coming." Other times, the names on the cut reports raise your eyebrows a bit. Wednesday's news was one of those other times. Respected veteran welterweight Ange Loosa was among four fairly well-known fighters to be removed from the UFC's active roster, per UFC Roster News. The move comes just over three weeks after Loosa suffered the only stoppage loss of his pro MMA career against Phil Rowe on June 14 in Atlanta. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 11: Ange Loosa poses for a portrait during a UFC photo session on June 11, ... More 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Loosa's release is especially tough to swallow because he appeared to be headed for a victory via decision after holding a noticeable edge in significant strikes through the first two rounds. Loosa was fatigued and he didn't fight smart in the third round. He chose to stand in the pocket against a fighter who had a massive height and reach advantage. He paid the price and suffered a brutal KO loss as Rowe held his face against the Octagon fence and pounded away before falling forward to the canvas. In case you missed it, take a look at the finish. After the loss, Loosa took to Instagram and wrote: It's been a tough stretch for Loosa overall. He hadn't won since he scored a unanimous decision win over Rhys McKee in September 2023. Since that win, he had a no-contest in March 2024 against Bryan Battle which ended after Loosa suffered an eye poke that he couldn't recover from during the fight. Loosa also dropped a unanimous decision to Gabriel Bonfim in July 2024. Despite his activity and pedigree as a member of Kill Cliff FC, the UFC moved on from Loosa. These kinds of roster moves are nothing new for the UFC, especially when a fighter isn't on a winning streak or doesn't have an obvious path to title contention. With more events on the calendar than ever, the promotion often trims the middle and bottom tiers of its divisions to make space for rising prospects from Dana White's Contender Series or international circuits. That pattern, combined with a lackluster recent stretch, likely contributed to Loosa's exit. The welterweight division has its share of top contenders, young up-and-comers like Michael Morales and a new champion in Jack Della Maddalena. There's also Islam Makhachev who is new to the division, but set to challenge JDM for his title. To put it plainly, the UFC isn't desperate for 170-pound contenders which could explain why Loosa would be expendable. When you add in the looming returns of fighters like Shavkat Rakhmonov, the potential for someone like Ian Garry to make a leap, the division is loaded. Loosa had some good moments in the UFC, but in this kind of climate, those don't always translate to job security. Loosa is just 31. He has time to rebound and make another run. In his Instagram post after the loss to Rowe, he said he would make adjustments and be back. I'm sure he thought that would be in the UFC. As it is, he may need to rebuild and impress before getting another shot in the Octagon. Promotions like the PFL might offer a fresh start, especially if Loosa can secure a few dominant wins on the regional circuit.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Ilia Topuria's one-of-one UFC rookie card sets all-time high sale
A post shared by Goldin (@goldinco) Ilia Topuria's impact is being felt in the world of collectibles. Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), who won a UFC title in a second division by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, has seen his star power steadily rise to new heights. Arguably, he's the biggest star in the UFC today, which means his hype in the trading card world is on fire. As Topuria continues to forge an undeniable path as a superstar in the UFC, his trading cards are becoming the hottest thing going. The most significant UFC card sales pale in comparison to those of baseball, basketball or football, but Topuria's name is helping to raise the value of MMA cards. Not only does Topuria have an undefeated record and titles in two UFC divisions, but he also now has the highest UFC trading card sale on record at six figures. Wednesday, Goldin Auctions, a high-end collectible marketplace, announced that a private sale has been completed for Ilia Topuria's one-of-one Black Prizm rookie card from the 2022 Panini Prizm UFC set. The card was graded a mint 9 by PSA, the world's leading trading card grading company. Goldin consigned the sale. The total? A smooth $101,000. The previous high was a Khabib Nurmagomedov one-of-one from the 2014 Topps UFC Knockout Autographs set, which sold for $79,200 in May 2022, according to cllct.
