MMA fighter and father Cris Lencioni, 28, is in ICU after suffering a cardiac arrest on June 8
MMA fighter and father Cris Lencioni, 28, is in intensive care after suffering cardiac arrest during training on June 8
- Cris Lencioni was training in a gym when he collapsed after cardiac arrest
- His fellow fighters called 9-1-1 and he was taken to the hospital
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Bellator MMA fighter Cris ‘Sunshine’ Lencioni is in intensive care after a cardiac arrest.
According to a GoFundMe page Founded by his mother-in-law, Lencioni suffered cardiac arrest on June 8 during training.
“As you can imagine this was totally unexpected considering he’s only 28 and in great shape,” the page reads. Cris is currently in ICU in his biggest fight to date.
“We believe in the goodness of God, and we don’t know anyone with more will, strength and determination than Cris. Cris has already overcome so much in his life and we have faith in his ability to overcome any obstacle.’
In an Instagram post on Cris’s page — written by his wife Marca — she says athletes at the gym where he was training “were great and immediately called 911 and did their best to attend to his needs until paramedics arrived.”
Bellator MMA Fighter Cris ‘Sunshine’ Lencioni (R) Is In ICU After Sudden Cardiac Arrest
In an Instagram post from his wife Marca, Lencioni has been hospitalized since June 8
According to reports, Lencioni was working out in a gym when he collapsed and fellow fighters called 9-1-1
“We are currently in a different state,” the message reads. “He has been under the care of excellent doctors with me and much of his family at his side. We are all hopeful for the progress we know he will continue to make.”
Sunshine Athletics, a gym of which Lencioni is the head coach, also posted an update on their Instagram page.
“Those on the scene immediately took action, calling 911 and doing their best to help Cris immediately until paramedics could arrive.” said the gym post. “We are infinitely grateful for their care!
Cris is currently recovering in ICU and is under the care of an incredible team of medical professionals with his wife Marca and much of his family by his side.
“We are all hopeful for the positive progress we know he will continue to make!!”
The GoFundMe page describes Lencioni as, “quite a character, quick to tease and joke, has the most contagious laugh and is always so full of light and life.”
‘Cris is a natural entertainer, his MMA personality makes him so much fun to watch. He enjoys working with children and has often arranged for children to participate in tournaments and training [Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu] in his gym, regardless of their ability to pay.
“He has always talked about the importance of guiding children and being there to support children who are struggling with difficult things. His gym and children’s program is his passion project.’
Lencioni is the father of an almost two-year-old son who is called ‘Little Cris’
He is also described as a loving wife to Marca, to whom he has been married since October 2018.
Cris is described as ‘quite a character, quick to tease and joke…so full of light and life’
Lencioni, a featherweight, has a fighting record of 10-3 with a record of 5-2 in Bellator events
Lencioni’s family includes his wife – whom he married in October 2018 – and a little boy the page calls “little Cris” who is almost two years old.
At the time of posting, the GoFundMe is only a few hours old and more than $5,000 in donations have been made towards their goal of $250,000.
Lencioni has a 10-3 fighting record with a 5-2 record in Bellator events.
The featherweight has won six events by submission – the other four came by decisions: two unanimous and two split. All three fights he has lost have been by unanimous decision.