Titan Fighting Championships 39 will probably go down as the promotion's best event on 2016, but it came with a gruesome moment as Deivison Ribeiro suffered a nasty broken leg during his fight against Andre Harrison at the event.
Ribeiro now owes around $60,000 in medical bills after suffering the injury and he believes that Titan FC should help him cover the costs.
“After I broke my leg, I went back to Brazil,” Ribeiro said to MMA Junkie. “Once I returned, and started training lightly, the hospital started sending me bills. They say insurance only covered $20,000 of the total cost. Almost $60,000 still needs to be paid. They’re putting pressure on me, sending my name to collections. I contacted the owners of Titan FC. When we finally talked, they said their insurance only covered $20,000. In short, the bill is mine, and not their problem. They suggested starting a GoFundMe page to raise the money from my fans, and from whomever takes pity on me. I can walk again. I don’t want to take advantage of donations, when the bill should go to the promotion or the insurance company.”
Ribeiro’s manager, Alex Davis, has been in constant communication with Titan FC officials and they seem open to finding a solution that will make all sides happy.
“Its a really unfortunate situation, we have been talking with Lex, who has been proactive,” Davis said. “Titan agreed to set up a GoFundMe and is working with their insurance company trying to handle the issues. Titan was in compliance with the Florida athletic commission regulation that requires a $20,000 insurance policy, and that $20,000 was applied to the medical bills. Deivison has a lawyer, as well, who is helping him with the hospital. Both myself and Lex and Deivison have met, and all of us are seeking a solution.”
Whether Titan FC helps in the end is unknown at this time, but presently, Ribeiro is dealing with a really bad situation.
“I’m in a very bad spot,” Ribeiro said. “I’ll spend an entire year without being able to fight, and I still get a $60,000 bill for my troubles. I can’t even earn money. I tried talking to the promoters. I just want this hospital bill taken care of. I don’t want to make any money above and beyond that. I’m not looking for any personal gain, even though I have other bills I can’t pay.”
Titan FC will not be holding another event until Saturday, January 21 with Titan FC 43, no fights have been announced at this time.
