UFC, Bellator veteran Guilherme ‘Bomba’ dead at 38

Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos, a longtime MMA veteran with appearances under the UFC and Bellator banners across 16 MMA fights, has passed away at the age of 38.

Reports about his passing were first posted by friends on social media, including longtime jiu-jitsu coaches Cristiano Lazzarini and Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes. Additional sources confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Tuesday.

The cause of death has not been revealed at this time.

“Bomba” started his MMA career in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a second-round rear-naked choke win over veteran Wendell Oliveira, and joined the TUF Brazil 3 cast in 2014 following a win over Elizeu Zaleski, both fighters that eventually made it to the UFC as well.

The Minas Gerais-native went 1-1 on the reality TV show and lost his sole UFC bout via decision to Luke Zachrich in July 2014, going on to win four of his next five bouts to sign a deal with Bellator.

Vasconcelos, also known outside the MMA bubble for dating Demi Lovato in 2017, ended his MMA career in 2019, winning three of six bouts inside the Bellator cage.

“Of all the students I had, you were the bravest,” Lazzarini posted on social media. “Fearless, unbeatable. In moments of chaos, a machine. In trivial moments, a sweet boy. We had a machine that had a bit of everything. Your MMA debut, with a win against a man that had won 10 in a row and had 19 fights, was of the happiest moments of my life in the sport. Unbreakable. So many trips together, so many battles. From blue to black belt, from first to last MMA fights. Man, how much I love you. Unbelievable. Rest in peace, brother.”