Late on Saturday, a friend of Gassaway wrote on Facebook that he had passed. A GoFundMe page has since been created for a memorial fund for Gassaway’s family on Sunday. The news of his death has since been confirmed by multiple MMA media members.
“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, teacher, and mentor, Brian Gassaway,” the GoFundMe wrote.“Please know that as much as he helped you, you also helped him,” it continued. “You were the reason he lived. You gave him breath. He absorbed and learned from your experience, sharing it with the next student. As students and teachers of martial arts, we are the sum of the teachers and students before us.
“Brian leaves behind his wife and best friend, Mimi, mother, and brother, Wesley. Brian, our friend, our teacher, you will not be forgotten. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience w…