Cris Lencioni is in a fight for his life.
‘Sunshine’ Hospitalized
On June 8th, the 28 year-old Bellator MMA fighter suffered a totally unexpected cardiac arrest while training at a new gym. According to Chael Sonnen, a close friend of Lencioni, he lost consciousness during a grappling session.
Lencioni was transported to the hospital thereafter where he received much-needed medical attention.
Eleven days after, Lencioni’s wife Marca has went public with information on Cris’ unfortunate situation.
“On Thursday 6/8 there was an incident while Cris was training, and he experienced a cardiac arrest,” Marca wrote on Instagram. “The athletes at the gym were great and immediately called 911 and did their best to address his needs until paramedics arrived.
We are currently in another state. He has been under the care of excellent doctors with I and much of his family by his side. We are all hopeful for the progress we know he will continue to make. Prayers are always welcome – if your kiddos want to make a card or anything like that, bring it to the gym and we will make sure Cris gets it.
We are currently in uncharted territory and taking everything day by day. Thank you for the continued support during this time. Some of Cris’ family has started a Go fund me page. I’ll add the link in his Bio but keeping us in your thoughts and prayers is very much appreciated.”
GoFundMe
Lencioni’s mother-in-law Angela Hibbard organized a GoFundMe for ‘Sunshine’, which has garnered more than $8,000 in donations after six hours.
Much support has gone out to Lencioni at this time, including some words from Chael Sonnen.
“Sunshine got his nickname because he’s always in a bright and cheerful mood,” Sonnen said of Lencioni. “This is a young man who prepared his whole life for a fight and it appears he just found one. Please consider helping the family in this time of need. It will be considered a personal favor.”
Sunshine got his nickname because he’s always in a bright and cheerful mood. This is a young man who prepared his whole life for a fight and it appears he just found one.
Please consider helping the family in this time of need. It will be considered a personal favor.… pic.twitter.com/lJhk9GOfat— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) June 19, 2023
My brother 😢 one of the best guys I know runs his own gym near Portland and drives all the way up to Spokane to train with us just to turn around and go back and work at his gym that man has a work ethic and he’s super talented 💯
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) June 19, 2023
Cris Lencioni is coming off a four-fight win streak. He last finished Blake Smith with a sensational inverted triangle choke at Bellator 294 back in April. Lencioni’s next fight was supposed to be against Irish star James Gallagher at Bellator 298 in August.
Our prayers go out to the Lencioni family as well as his team at this time.
