Rising MMA star Shalie Lipp dies aged 21 following horror two-car crash

Rising MMA star Shalie Lipp passed away at the age of 21 after a horrific car accident, just days before a huge fight.

The Colorado resident was a passenger in a two-vehicle accident Sunday morning on Interstate 94 in Minnesota.

She was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, reportedly driven by 35-year-old Joseph Trottier of West Fargo, who “made contact” with a 2017 Jeep Cherokee on the Red River Bridge around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. through Valley News Live.

Lipp was the sole occupant of the two unseated vehicles, and Trottier and the three others involved emerged from the horrific crash unharmed, the crash report said. The accident is still under investigation.

The young star was scheduled to fight Natalie Gage in the main event of Ignite No Mercy 11 at Kent Freeman Arena in Detroit Lakes on May 20.

The young star was set to face Natalie Gage in the main event of Ignite No Mercy 11 on May 20

Just a week ago, she had been promoting the fight on her Instagram page, with a video showing her in the ring and training.

She wrote, “I would love it if you guys would come out and support me so close to my hometown! Bring some friends, have a few drinks and enjoy some violence! See you there.’

She had reportedly just returned from a month in Thailand training in MMA and Muay Thai.

Her last fight was on April 26, 2023 in Thailand, according to her Instagram.

She trained at the Academy of Combat Arts in Fargo, Minnesota and told facility owner Dylan Spicer Valley News Live“She was a promising young athlete, really fell in love with martial arts and showed a lot of potential.”

Eric Sweeney, Lipp’s personal trainer, paid tribute to a “great human being.”

“My heart is absolutely broken. You were such a wonderful person, full of promise and drive,” he said.

“One of the few people I’ve ever met who truly aspired to greatness. And I will never forget you.

“It’s beyond my comprehension today to think I won’t see you this week… or ever again. We were just cracking the code.

“Being your friend will change me forever. It already has. Thank you for all the moments.

“All our conversations, both personal and professional.

The laughter, the tears, and all the emotions in between. I will remember them all. I am grateful to them all.’

‘No Mercy’ promoter Jeremy Bjornberg claimed that Lipp was UFC-bound when he paid tribute to her.

“She had a great work ethic, she had just returned from a month of training in Thailand a few days ago,” Bjornberg said. MMA news.

At the age of 19 she started fighting the best fighters in the Midwest. … She was someone everyone knew was going to go somewhere and end up in the UFC.”

Lipp had a 3-2 amateur MMA record and won her first two amateur fights before falling to Cheyanne Bowers in March 2022.