It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we have to report this morning the passing of New England Mixed Martial Artist Arthur Mpofu at the age of 27 years old.
It was confirmed by sources, including Iridium Sports Agency - Mpofu's management team, that Mpofu passed away yesterday. The cause of death has not been released, but it is not believed to be suspicious.
In the world of amateur mixed martial arts, every now and then, a shining star emerges, capturing the hearts and admiration of fans and fellow fighters alike. Arthur Mpofu was undeniably one of these exceptional individuals—a high-character individual and a talented fighter with a bright future ahead of him. Tragically, his untimely passing has left a void in the New England MMA community, reminding us of the fragility of life and the enduring impact one person can have on others.
"The African Assassin" was a stalwart on the New England MMA scene over the years, making his amateur MMA debut at Cage Titans 40 back in the summer of 2018. Mpofu trained out of SBG East in Massachusetts, but more recently made the move to Alabama to train at the SBG affiliated gym there.
Mpofu was an amateur bantamweight competitor who held a record of 7-5 and is currently ranked 6th in the region in that division. While he most recently competed in regional promotions down south, Mpofu fought under the Cage Titans banner 7 times, sporting a 5-2 record and holding the Cage Titans amateur bantamweight belt while engaging in a number of highly entertaining fights with the likes of Jeff Joy, Kam Arnold, Andrew Valdina, Marcel Romero, and Tyler Smythe to name a few.
Although his life may have been short, the impact that he has had on people throughout the sport from New England to Alabama can not be understated. Throughout his 5 years of MMA competition Mpofu has been locked in the cage with some of the toughest competition around and has put on some of the most memorable fights one can remember under the Cage Titans lights. Mpofu most recently competed under the All In Combat banner on May 14th, beating Sam Thompson by Rear Naked Choke.
In the wake of Arthur Mpofu's passing, it is essential that we celebrate his life, his achievements, and the impact he made on the MMA community. We should strive to emulate the qualities he possessed, both in and out of the cage—dedication, integrity, and kindness. By remembering Arthur's character and spirit, we can honor his memory and keep his legacy alive.
It goes without words that Mpofu will be sorely missed by everyone that he touched in life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time. RIP Arthur Mpofu.
