MMA fighter Andre Mussi dies suddenly at 48 after collapsing following training session

FORMER MMA star Andre Mussi has died at the age of 48 after collapsing following a gym session in Brazil.

The South American heavyweight was rushed to hospital on Tuesday, but local reports claim he never came around.

Former MMA star Andre Mussi has passed away at the age of 48NF/newsX

Sherdog/NF/newsXHe won 11 of his 16 professional fights across a six-year career[/caption]

The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.

He leaves behind his wife and son.

Mussi, based in Rio, won 11 of his 16 professional fights in MMA before he hung up his gloves in 2010 after a six-year career.

The 6ft4in star moved into managing fighters, but continued to maintain his own shape through body-building and jiu-jitsu.

Jiu-jitsu sensei Renato Velame, a friend of Mussi, told local media: “He was an important part of modern MMA.

“He reformed the business model and helped professionalise the sport.”

Mussi opened the Rush Academy after getting into fight management.

He brought on MMA stars such as Yuri Carlton and Edilberto Crocota.

Velame added: “In the past, it was hard to open a gym dedicated just to martial arts alone.

“We made a strong MMA team there. Many people, like Minotaur and Minotouro, trained there.

“It was the place for this generation of fighters to go training.”