Blas Avena, Former MMA Fighter, Dies at Age 32

Former Bellator and WEC mixed martial artist Blas Avena was found dead at the age of 32 in his Las Vegas apartment just before noon PT on Wednesday, per TMZ Sports. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department is investigating it as a suicide.

"Arriving police and medical personnel located an adult male who was pronounced deceased at the scene," a spokesman for the Las Vegas Metro Police Department told TMZ. "As of now, the death is being investigated as a suicide."

TMZ noted an autopsy was conducted earlier this week, "but officials won't name an official cause of death until further tests are completed."

Former UFC heavyweight champion Shane Carwin offered his condolences on Twitter:

Avena last fought at Bellator 96 in June 2013. He lost by technical knockout in the first round to War Machine. He bounced around from various promotions throughout his eight-year career, which started with the Ultimate Combat Experience (UCE) in 2005.

From 2007 to 2009, Avena enjoyed his most stable partnership with WEC, going 3-3 in six fights with the promotion. He put together an 8-7 career record with one no contest in 16 career fights.