Valley cage fighter dead....

[Divide Et Impera]

http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/0313LakeDrowning13-ON.html

Drowned man possibly local cage fighter
Brent Whiting
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 13, 2007 07:48 AM

A cage fighter from Chandler was identified as the man who likely drowned Sunday during a waterskiing mishap at Lake Pleasant.

Sources close to the accident identified the victim Monday as Gilbert Aldana, 29, who fights under the nickname "El Peligroso," meaning "dangerous one."

However, investigators will not confirm an identity until a body has been recovered, said Deputy Doug Matteson, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's divers remained at the northwest Valley lake on Monday attempting to make a recovery, he said.Aldana is a former football player at Mesa Community College and worked as a sales manager for Valley Protective Services, a Tempe firm that keeps order among crowds at events like Rage in the Cage.

Michelle Howland, vice president of the Tempe firm, said Aldana was married with two children and was a devoted family man.

"He was the most amazing man you could every meet," Howland said. "He was a gentle giant."

Earlier this year, the 245-pound Aldana told The Arizona Republic that ultimate cage fighters are among society's best people.

"Ninety-nine percent of these guys are the nicest guys in the world," he said. "I'm a nice guy, but I know when to turn it on and off."

Cage fighters combine several forms of martial arts as well as wrestling, boxing and kickboxing.

Aldana competed for Ultimate Fighting Championship and it profiled on - www.ufc.com - the group's Web site.

He has notched at least five wins, but has lot both of his UFC bouts, representing the highest level of cage fighting.

He has a 5-2 record but has lost both of his UFC bouts, the highest level of cage fighting.

Sheriff's investigators said the drowning incident occurred about 10:40 a.m. Sunday when the victim was waterskiing and dropped his shirt in the water.

The man tried to retrieve the shirt and started struggling in the water, then slipped beneath the surface and disappeared, said Deputy Lindsey Smith, a sheriff's spokeswoman.

A friend made an unsuccessful try to help the man, Smith said.

 

[Mulli]

I hope he didn't drown because he didnt take off the El Peligroso mask.

Sorry, that is bad.

My respects to his family and friends.

 

[Heucrazy]

Who goes water sking without a life preserver on?

 

[Mulli]

Who goes water sking without a life preserver on?

The Dangerous One.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I've been lucky in getting to meet Gilbert several times, and his loss is both shocking and upsetting at the same time. He was a geniunely nice guy, who took a lot of pride in his family.

Farewell Gil.. See you on the flip. The Arizona MMA scene won't be the same without you.

 

[Mulli]

I've been lucky in getting to meet Gilbert several times, and his loss is both shocking and upsetting at the same time. He was a geniunely nice guy, who took a lot of pride in his family.

Farewell Gil.. See you on the flip. The Arizona MMA scene won't be the same without you.

I am sorry I joked, Jay.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

No offense taken Mulli.

 

[jf-08]

I've been lucky in getting to meet Gilbert several times, and his loss is both shocking and upsetting at the same time. He was a geniunely nice guy, who took a lot of pride in his family.

Farewell Gil.. See you on the flip. The Arizona MMA scene won't be the same without you.

I knew Gilbert too.

He was a great guy.

I can't believe this.