Charles Lewis

Quick Hits: Jones Signs New UFC Deal, Mayorga to MMA & More

— Light heavyweight prospect Jon Jones has reportedly inked a new four-fight deal with the UFC. Jones has won all nine of his professional fights to date, including three inside the Octagon. “Bones” was last seen in action at UFC 100, where he submitted fellow wrestler Jake O’Brien with a guillotine choke in the second round. [MMA Madness]

— Former boxing welterweight champion Ricardo Mayorga will apparently be entering the world of mixed martial arts. Shine Fighters promoter and “TUF” alumnus Dorian Price announced Mayorga’s participation at a future event against an opponent yet-to-be-determined. Mayorga has racked up a record of 28-7-1 in the ring with notable wins over Fernando Vargas and Vernon Forrest. [MMA Junkie]

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Chuck Liddell and Charles “Mask” Lewis Inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

UFC president Dana White has announced, via his Twitter, that former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and TapouT founder Charles “Mask” Lewis will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this weekend at the UFC 100 Fan Expo.

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Charles “Mask” Lewis Memorial Set for April 11

The Tapout crew has set up a memorial service for their fallen leader, Charles “Mask” Lewis.  The outpouring of well wishers in the face of Lewis’ tragic death last week has been overwhelming according to Dan “Punkass” Caldwell of Tapout. 

Thus Lewis’ friends and family felt it was only right that a memorial take place at venue capable of handling the expected crowds.  It will happen at the at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif on April 14 at 11 a.m. PST, a church with a seating capacity of well over 3000.  we will have more information on this service in the coming days.

More Details Emerge Regarding Lewis’ Death

Jeffrey D. Kirby of Costa Mesa, California has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after his car collided with that of Tapout clothing company founder Charles “Mask” Lewis Jr., early Wednesday morning and sent him into a cement pole, killing him instantly.

From Sherdog.com:

Kirby, 51, of Costa Mesa, Calif., has been charged with “one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated, one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, and sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter and causing great bodily injury to multiple victims,” according to a press release from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Kirby, who has a prior 2002 conviction for driving under the influence, faces a maximum sentence of 19 years and eight months if convicted. Lewis’ red Ferrari and Kirby’s white Porsche were observed traveling alongside one another in the same direction on the three-lane Jamboree Road around 1 a.m. PST on Wednesday morning, according to a Newport Beach police officer who was traveling in the opposite direction and witnessed the crash.

“Kirby is accused of speeding alongside a 2004 Ferrari…,” read the release, “… [and] is accused of losing control of his car due to his unsafe speed and crashing into Lewis’ vehicle,” which caused Lewis to lose control of his vehicle and collide with a cement pole. The Newport Beach Police Dept. has not depicted the accident as a “drag race.”

Those interested in leaving a tribute message in honor of Mask can do so at Tapout’s official website. A tribute phone line has also been set up in his memory. If you have a story to share or thoughts on Lewis, you can leave them at 1-888-6-TAPOUT. The line will stay open until late Sunday evening. The Tapout radio show will be airing the messages during shows in the near future and they will also be archived on the official memorial website that Tapout is creating.