Blas Avena

Blas Avena (June 30, 1983 – May 4, 2016) was an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional since 2005, Avena also competed for the WEC. Avena also found success as a grappler, appearing in Grapplers Quest, NAGA and the ADCC, Blas is also notable in the sport of grappling for his classic bout with veteran Jeff Glover.

Early career

Avena relocated from Southern California to Las Vegas in 2004 to work as a security guard for the Hard Rock Cafe and later made his professional MMA debut in 2005. Avena compiled an overall record of 3-0 before being signed by the WEC.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Avena made his promotional debut at WEC 25 against Logan Clark on January 20, 2007. Avena lost via TKO in the third round.

After the loss at WEC 25, Avena decided to drop down to the welterweight division and faced Tiki Ghosn on August 5, 2007 at WEC 29. Avena won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Avena followed this up with another first-round submission win over Joe Benoit at WEC 30 before dropping his next fight against Hiromitsu Miura at WEC 33 on March 26, 2008 via first-round knockout.

Avena made his next appearance at WEC 35 against Dave Terrel on August 3, 2008 and won via first-round TKO. Avena then faced Jesse Lennox on January 25, 2009 at WEC 38. Avena was defeated via second-round knockout and subsequently released from the promotion.

Bellator MMA

After his release from the WEC, Avena went 1-3 with one no contest before being signed by Bellator. Avena made his promotional debut against Lenny Lovato February 28, 2013 at Bellator 91 and won via first-round knockout.

Avena then faced War Machine at Bellator 96 on June 19, 2013. Avena was defeated via first-round TKO.

On the morning of May 4, 2016, Avena's body was discovered by police in his Las Vegas apartment. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed.