ONE Superstar Iuri Lapicus Passes Away Following Motorcycle Accident

The ONE Championship family is mourning today following the tragic passing of MMA athlete Iuri Lapicus.

The former ONE Lightweight World Title challenger died on Monday, March 20, after sustaining serious injuries in a motorcycle accident late last week. The Moldova native was 27 years old.

Known for his all-around skill set, fan-friendly style, and elite finishing instincts, Lapicus made a lasting mark in ONE Championship across five thrilling contests.

He stormed into the organization in 2019 with a pristine 12-0 record and an impressive 100 percent finishing rate.

The well-rounded competitor then shined in his promotional debut, submitting veteran Shannon Wiratchai in sensational fashion. In his next bout, he picked up the biggest win of his career with his first-round submission of former featherweight king Marat Gafurov.

Those unforgettable victories would earn Lapicus a shot at ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian Lee in October 2020. And while he would come up short in that contest, he’d firmly established himself as one of the organization’s most feared contenders.

ONE released a statement Tuesday regarding Lapicus’ untimely death:

“The ONE Championship team is heartbroken over the tragic passing of Iuri Lapicus. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones at this difficult time.”