Storied kickboxer and Bellator mixed martial artist Robin van Roosmalen has been taken to hospital following an accident that has also resulted in the death of his sister Melissa.
On Wednesday, van Roosmalen and his sister were struck by another vehicle at the side of the A2 motorway, one of the busiest in the Netherlands, after their car experienced a breakdown. According to reports in Dutch media, shortly after the breakdown, a truck collided with the pair, who were transported to hospital. Melissa van Roosmalen was later pronounced dead as a result of her injuries.
The driver of the truck was reportedly arrested following the accident.
GLORY kickboxing later released a statement offering their condolences to the van Roosmalen family following the incident.
The GLORY family is heartbroken to learn of Melissa Van Roosmalen’s passing and critical injuries sustained to Robin Van Roosmalen in a car accident. We send our deepest condolences to the Van Roosmalen family and their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/A1SMuCLMh4
— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) January 13, 2021
“The GLORY family is heartbroken to learn of Melissa van Roosmalen’s passing and critical injuries sustained to Robin van Roosmalen in a car accident. We send our deepest condolences to the van Roosmalen family and their loved ones,” the kickboxing promotion wrote in a statement on social media.
In a statement to Cageside Press, Bellator officials wrote that “We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident involving Robin van Roosmalen and his sister earlier today. Our thoughts are with Robin and his entire family during this difficult time.”
Robin van Roosmalen held both the featherweight and lightweight championships at various times in GLORY. The Dutch fighter was a two-time featherweight champion, and made multiple defenses of both his titles.
He officially competed in MMA twice, in 2016 and 2017, winning both of his fights. In 2019, the kickboxing champ signed with Bellator MMA, and was expected to make his debut at Bellator 232. However, after missing weight by nearly 10lbs, the fight was pulled from the card.
At the time, van Roosmalen told Cageside Press that he was completely focused on making the transition to MMA, and was even eying a possible cross-over fight with RIZIN. Following the cancellation of his October 2019 bout, van Roosmalen did not compete in 2020.
All of us at Cageside Press extend our condolences to the van Roosmalen family.
