Hot News : Michael Kirkham DEAD: MMA Fighter Dies After Debut Match

Michael Kirkham was pronounced dead early Monday after his first professional MMA fight ended with him unconscious and clinging to life.  Nicknamed "The Tree" for his imposing height at a gigantic 6 foot 9, Kirkham was making his debut in Aiken, South Carolina as a professional.

He was the captain of his own "Fayetteville Independents" MMA team and Saturday was part of the the Dash Entertainment and King MMA co-promoted "Confrontation at the Convocation Center" event which took place on the South Carolina University Aiken Convocation Center.

Though he was 6'9 in height, Kirkham weighed in at only around 190 pounds, so he was not as imposing with his lack of weight.  He had his own Facebook page in which his listed his record as a rather non-descript 3-3, perhaps signaling that this young man was not ready for the professional ranks.  Nearly from the onset of the bout, Kirkham appeared to be overmatched and was taken down early in the fight by his opponent.  At the time of the stoppage, which by all accounts was done properly and at the appropriate time, Kirkham had been pummeled by ground and pound punches that led to a referee stoppage.