Former Charles do Bronx Opponent Found Dead in Rio de Janeiro

A somber mood has descended upon the Brazilian martial arts community as news broke on Monday that former professional fighter and MMA coach, Diego Braga, 44, was tragically murdered in Morro do Banco, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.

The incident unfolded as Braga attempted to recover his stolen motorcycle, only to be mistakenly identified as a militia member by assailants. On Monday morning, Diego posted on Instagram the footage of his vehicle being stolen.

The grim discovery of Diego Braga’s lifeless body was made by the police on Monday evening, prompting the Homicide Department to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to Gabriel Braga, Diego’s son and a finalist in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) last season, his father had dedicated the entire morning to tracking down his stolen motorcycle, which had been taken from his condominium in Muzema the previous night by two criminals.

Gabriel recounted that Diego, accompanied by friends, ventured to Morro do Banco, where he was singled out by traffickers, mistaking Braga as being a member of the “militia”, ie., a group of corrupt policemen aiming to take over operations in the Favelas.

Diego Braga Alves had a notable career in regional Brazilian MMA, spanning from 2003 to 2019. Retiring with a record of 23 wins, nine losses, and one draw, Braga faced formidable opponents such as Miltinho Vieira, Adriano Martins, and Charles do Bronx.

Charles do Bronx Mourns The Passing of Diego

Diego’s most notable opponent, Charles Oliveira, also known as Charles do Bronx, expressed his grief on Instagram, saying, “My sentiments. May God put him in a good place.”

Charles and Diego faced off in 2008, marking Oliveira’s first professional appearance. ‘Do Bronx’ emerged victorious, eventually claiming the Predator FC Grand Prix championship after defeating Diego Braga, Viscardi Andrade, and Jackson Pontes.

In recent years, Diego Braga had transitioned to coaching, leading the Tropa Thai team. In 2023, his son Gabriel reached the final of the featherweight tournament in the PFL, though he was ultimately defeated by Jesus Pinedo.

The martial arts community mourns the loss of Diego Braga, remembering him not only as a skilled athlete but also as a dedicated coach and mentor to aspiring fighters. As investigations continue into the tragic circumstances of his death, the impact of this senseless violence reverberates throughout the world of mixed martial arts.