Joao Carvalho Dies from Injuries Suffered in Charlie Ward Fight

Portuguese MMA fighter Joao Carvalho has died from injuries suffered in his welterweight fight with Charlie Ward in Dublin on Saturday. 

Team Nobrega confirmed his death on Facebook on Tuesday. 

Per the Independent, Carvalho "fell ill" 20 minutes after his TKO defeat to Ward in Total Extreme Fighting 1 and underwent a brain procedure at Beaumount Hospital. He died on Monday.

Total Extreme Fighting CEO Cesar Silva said in a statement, per the report:

"

We extend our most sincere condolences to the family of Joao Carvalho’s and his teammates in Team Nobrega. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We’d also like to thank all sports fans for their concern and support.

We will give whatever support we can to Joao’s family. We have been in contact with his family and they have requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time.

"

Irish MMA fighter Paul Redmond described the news as "absolutely heartbreaking" in his tribute to Carvalho:

John Kavanagh, Ward and Conor McGregor's coach at Ireland's Straight Blast Gym, was in Ward's corner on Saturday and previously said he was "devastated" to hear of Carvalho's injuries:

McGregor said after the fight that he thought it should have been stopped sooner, per MMA Connect TV (via BJPenn.com):

"My team-mate Charlie had a good win just there—hell of a fight," he said. "Yer man took some big shots. Thought it could have been stopped a little bit earlier. The referee’s need to be on the ball a little bit."

The Dublin bout was part of the Total Extreme Fighting organisation's inaugural event.