The victim of a deadly hit and run early Sunday morning has been identified as MMA fighter Ryan Jimmo.
Nicknamed “The Big Deal”, Jimmo was from Saint John, New Brunswick, but fought out of Edmonton.
The 34-year-old was struck by a vehicle around 2:15 a.m. Sunday.
Police said there was a verbal altercation between the drivers of two vehicles in the area of Whyte Avenue and 101 Street.
READ MORE: Altercation ends in deadly hit and run: Edmonton police
The driver of one of the vehicles reportedly walked to the other vehicle. As he walked away, the driver of the other vehicle allegedly struck him and fled the area.
Jimmo was taken to hospital where he died.
Police said the suspect’s vehicle was last seen going east on Whyte Avenue near 99 Street. They believe there were at least two men in the vehicle.
Police are asking anyone with information about the vehicle to contact them. The vehicle is described as a dark-coloured, older model pickup truck with an extended cab, customized with a lift kit, oversized tires and clear tail lights.
Investigators said they’re also looking for the driver of a red car that was almost hit by the truck on Whyte Avenue shortly after the collision.
During his MMA career, Jimmo made his sensational UFC debut (at UFC 149) in Calgary in July 2012.
Fighting as a light heavyweight he tied the record for the organization’s fastest knockout when he dispatched Anthony Perosh in just seven seconds.
As news spread of Jimmo’s death, there was an outpouring of posts made on social media about his passing.
Jimmo was also a champion in the Edmonton-based Maximum Fight Championship and he appeared in the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
With files from The Canadian Press