UFC pioneer Paul Varelans passes away after battle with COVID-19
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Paul Varelans, a UFC pioneer nicknamed “the Polar Bear,” has passed away.
It was after a month long battle with COVID-19, with the former UFC heavyweight discussing his symptoms and revealing that he has tested positive last December. Varelans was eventually put in a medically induced coma and hooked up to a ventilator.
According to MMA author Jonathan Snowden, Varelans was still “breathing 70% on his own” a couple of weeks ago, but “eventually it overwhelmed him.”
On Saturday, the UFC fan favorite passed away at age 51.
RIP Paul Varelans. You left us far too soon. People talk about Pioneers of MMA all the time bringing up names that came into the game years after it began. You were truly one of the pioneers of the sport starting all the way back at UFC 6. Rest in Power my friend!— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) January 17, 2021