I met Ryan Bennett for the first time in Las Vegas at the UFC, we were both covering the event for our respective websites and from the first time I met him, I knew him to be one of the most steadfast soldiers in the MMA cause. He was friendly and went out of his way to introduce himself to me and make me feel welcome when I was around. We went for lunch at the Pink Taco in the Hard Rock Café the first time we met and from then on we became friends. We saw each other at most of the UFC’s in Vegas, and conversed regularly at the various MMA events and via email, he even invited me to be on his radio show a number of times to do the roundtable with him on his MMA radio show on MMA weekly.com

One thing that really stuck out for me was the fact that he asked me how to pronounce my name in “Korean” and was the only non Korean to pronounce my name like a real Korean would. My name in English, is Arnold “LIM”, the last name in Korean is pronounced “EEM” and that is exactly what he called me. I think it started off as fun, but it really exemplified the type of person he was, he went out of his way to make others around him feel comfortable and it was no different for me. He along with Scott Peterson started the popular MMA Weekly.com website along with the first live MMA radio show, he was also did commentary and interviews for various MMA organizations including the UFC, K-1, WEC, ROTR, and for the most part that is what most people will remember him for.

Ryan Bennett was many things to many people, he was a staunch MMA supporter and enthusiast. He was a friend to many in the MMA world including myself, but more importantly he was a family man, a husband, a son, and a father of four children. His children will never see him again and that is the saddest part in all of this. My condolences go out to his family, his wife Tanya, his four children, and of course Scott Peterson and the rest of the MMA Weekly team,

To Ryan, it was an honor to know you as a peer, and more then anything it was an honor to call you a friend. I will miss you, and always remember your lasting contribution to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Some people don’t believe in heaven, but I do, and I know you did too. I believe that is where you are now, and hopefully I will see you there in time my friend, good bye for now.

Arnold “EEM”.

MMA Weekly has set up a fund to help out with Mr. Bennett’s family.
To make a donation to the Ryan Bennett Family fund click HERE...

Special thanks to MMA Weekly for use of the photograph.