Popular UFC fighter Art “One-Glove” Jimmerson, best known for participating in the UFC 1 in November 1993, passed away this week at the age of 61. No cause of death was released.
Jimmerson earned the nickname “One-Glove” after he showed up to his first match wearing only one boxing glove to protect his jab hand while leaving the other hand free. At UFC 1, Jimmerson faced off against the eventual tournament winner, Royce Gracie.
Art competed in several different weight classes throughout his career, including super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight. In 1983, Jimmerson was the National Golden Gloves Middleweight champion.
Throughout his professional boxing career, Art finished with a total record of 33-18 before retiring in 2002. Although he never participated in another mixed martial arts fight, Art returned to boxing shortly after his involvement in UFC 1.
Later in his career, Jimmerson started training fighters, from novices to professionals, in Los Angeles.
Art Jimmerson has passed away at the age of 60.
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) May 9, 2024
He was one of the main reasons why UFC 1 was such a spectacle.
A pro boxer that stepped into a cage with one glove to attack and a free hand to defend.
UFC 1 led to the birth of a sport and Art played a small role in that.
RIP🙏 pic.twitter.com/4joc0sTq5j
I don’t know what else to say other than we lost a LEGEND today. We just did a signing with him a few weeks ago and he was at my house last week. Such a HUGE part of UFC and my family. 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
— Ultimate Pastime (@ULTIMATEPASTIME) May 8, 2024
Rest in Peace, Champ. I love you!!! @ArtJimmerson #ufc #ufc1 pic.twitter.com/7zZuWP6pTe
Iconic former UFC referee John McCarthy released a statement following Jimmerson’s passing.
“People can say whatever they want about Art Jimmerson,”
“But Art Jimmerson was a man who practiced an art — the art of boxing — and became incredibly successful with it. He was brave enough to take that art and test it against something he had no knowledge of.”
ESPN
Rest in peace!
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