Arrests made in hit-and-run death of former UFC fighter Ryan Jimmo

EDMONTON – Police in Edmonton have charged two people in the hit-and-run death of former UFC fighter Ryan Jimmo.

Jimmo, who was 34, was fatally injured early Sunday following a verbal argument that escalated into a fight in the parking lot of a bar.

Police say Jimmo died from blunt force trauma after being run over by a vehicle.

They say neither of the men charged knew Jimmo.

Anthony Getschel, who is 23, faces several charges, includingsecond-degree murder and criminal negligence causing death.

Jordan Wagner, who is 21, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Police said earlier this week that Jimmo, who was born in Saint John, N.B., had approached the driver of a vehicle and was walking back to his own car when he was struck.

He was pronounced dead in hospital.

Known as “The Big Deal” during his mixed martial arts career, Jimmo made his sensational UFC debut at UFC 149 in Calgary in July 2012.

Fighting as a light heavyweight, he tied the record for the organization’s fastest knockout when he dispatched Anthony Perosh in just seven seconds. Jimmo celebrated by doing a robot-dance followed by the splits in the middle of the cage.

The six-foot-two, 205-pounder had a black belt in karate and was part of UFC’s TV series “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 8.

Jimmo went 19-5 in his MMA career, with a 3-4 record in seven UFC fights. His last appearance was a loss to Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 67 in May 2015.

The native Maritimer had most recently lived in Arizona after stints in Edmonton and Halifax.

Prior to entering the UFC, Jimmo was light-heavyweight champion of the Edmonton-based Maximum Fighting Championship.