Rare Heart Condition Suspected As Shane Del Rosario Remains On Life Support

UFC heavyweight fighter Shane Del Rosario remains on life support in a Newport Beach, California hospital today as doctors come closer to establishing how the 30 year-old may have suffered full cardiac arrest at his home on Tuesday morning.

“Doctors believe he may suffer from a rare condition called Long QT Syndrome, which is a genetic anomaly that can cause a sudden and life-threatening heart rhythm abnormality, and may result in sudden death,” Del Rosario’s manager Jason House tells Sherdog.com. “Tragically, it strikes healthy young people and often is the first and only presentation of a heart problem.”

Del Rosario was revived in the treatment room after being rushed into hospital, but has shown no brain activity since and remains unconscious and on life support.

There had been rumors over the past couple of days that Del Rosario was in fact dead, with even UFC President Dana White posting, “RIP Shane Del Rosario” on his Twitter account after a report emerged on ESPN UK claiming that he had passed away.

However, it’s since emerged that’s not the case and ESPN issued an apology, though doctor’s have been debating whether to keep him on life support or not which indicates the gravity of the situation at this time.

A glimour of hope remains today, however after Del Rosario’s coach Colin Oyama posted, “Start praying people cause we got a shot!” last night on Facebook.

There’s no official word yet on if his condition has improved however, but at this stage any sign of hope is worth clinging onto, and if there’s anyone who can overcome this, it’s undoubtedly a true fighter like Shane Del Rosario.

Ross launched MMA Insight (previously FightOfTheNight.com) in 2009 as a way to channel his passion for the sport of mixed martial arts. He's since penned countless news stories and live fight reports along with dozens of feature articles as the lead writer for the site, reaching millions of fans in the process.