Adrienne Simmons, a local fighter that has trained at several Atlanta gyms and fought locally, has passed away after fighting this weekend in Florida.
Khunpon, on his way to Florida, confirmed to David Oblas of GeorgiaFighters.com at 9 pm tonight that unfortunately Adrienne passed away.
Adrienne was competing in the IKF Kickboxing Tournament in Florida this weekend and was in the Championship Bout for her weight class. She was knocked out and unresponsive. She was then rushed to the hospital and had surgery for brain bleeding and swelling and went into a coma.
We’ve since learned from an interview with Adrienne’s boyfriend, Chike Lindsay, that there was no ambulance on site at the event and that Adrienne had to wait 30 minutes to be airlifted to a hospital. According to the interview with Chike, it took nearly an hour from the time that Adrienne was injured until she finally arrived at the hospital.
Adrienne’s fight was against Lindsay Scheer, a muay thai fighter from Kentucky that has fought in Atlanta several times.
Adrienne’s boyfriend spoke to WFTV in Orlando see it here
On her facebook, Lindsay posted the following:
I have waited to make my statement about the terrible tragedy that has occurred this past weekend at IKFs because I wanted there to be time for all involved especially those closest to Adrienne to have a chance to tell their friends and have their time to process this horrific event, but I feel there are some things that I need to say. What I was hoping would be a wonderful day turned out to be the absolute worst day of my entire life. I had anticipated a great weekend of being around and getting to participate in what I love – Muay thai. I could never have imagined that the weekend would end with me being called into a room by a sheriff to inform me that I am being interviewed for a homicide investigation. I have literally been inconsolable since that moment. I did not know what it really felt like to cry. I was and am broken.
I returned home to be greeted by my amazing parents who drove to my house in Louisville to be with me and tell me in person that they love me and that they are behind me. They also drove down to tell me that my grandmother had died this morning as well. I do not add these details to evoke pity or draw attention to me. In fact, I am done talking about my hurt and my pain because it is only self-serving and would evoke pity and condolences from people that I just don’t want or feel like I deserve. Any energy or thought in this matter must go to Adrienne and Chike. I mention these details because they have helped to bring me to what I am about to say:
A piece of me died in the ring yesterday with Adrienne. I will never get it back…not even in time – it will not heal this, period. However, my initial visceral reaction when I was told by the police officers was a hysterical fit that I will never fight again. To be honest, I am terrified to step into the ring and I don’t know how I will be able to…but again, this is not about me. My grandmother was one of the strongest people I have had the privilege of knowing and Adrienne was one of the bravest. I know that my grandmother would tell me I am being weak and wasteful and I truly believe that Adrienne would want me to continue to fight because if this situation was reversed, I would have wanted her to do the same.
We both love this sport, it is more than what we do, it is a part of who we are and if I spend the rest of my life avoiding Muay Thai, then we both die. I say this because long before the IKF tournament, I had accepted a rematch bout with a very tough dutch girl I had fought last year. This was the toughest fight I have ever had. It is scheduled for Aug 29th in Suriname. I think I have to go through with it. I have to find some way to make myself train and prepare for this match because I feel it needs to be done to commemorate Adrienne. She deserves nothing less. In fact, she deserves more than a bout in her memory, she deserves change. I cannot let her death be in vain. The Kickboxing community needs to make something positive from this tragedy and I’ll do whatever I can to facilitate it. I do not expect everyone to agree with me or even to understand where I am coming from. All that I ask is that you do not judge me. I of course will not proceed with the fight unless I have the support of Chike and those closest to Adrienne because I wish to do nothing that those who knew her best would deem disrespectful. So please…no responses to this post unless it is a way we can begin to make things better.
—Lindsay
Please post your sympathy notes for Adrienne’s family below.
Lindsay we love you too.
You did nothing wrong and you honor Adrienne with your heartfelt gratitude towards her and are a mirror of her fighting spirit.
We will all pass someday. We won’t all live to our highest potential. Adrienne died living her life on purpose and with Warrior heart and dedication.
You are all in my prayers.
Please know that no one sees this as your fault. I lived with Adrienne for almost one year and I know from our conversations that she took responsibility for the risks of being a martial artist and fighter.
Lindsay, you did nothing wrong. There are inherent risks involved in every contact sport. What this tragedy needs to do is invoke change. Unfortunately as history has proven time and time again that tragedy is what induces the most needed change. Any contact sport where there is increased likelihood of physical trauma to the head NEEDS to have an ambulance and EMTs available on the scene!!
I am a kickboxer myself and a true kickboxer is aware of the risks that are involved with fighting long before they step into the ring. No one is at fault here and no one is to blame, it was a tragic accident. I also attended the 2008 IKF championships in Florida so I know how amazing it is to be there, you should both be proud that you had the chance to experience it. I am sure that Adrienne would want you to continue fighting as it is every fighters passion to succeed. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this. RIP.
[...] Kickboxing tournament. WTSP reports that Simmons took a left hook during her bout that led to a KO. GeorgiaFighters.com reported that shortly after the KO of the Championship bout, Simmons went into surgery for bleeding [...]
[...] GeorigaFighters.com has the full story: Adrienne Simmons, a local fighter that has trained at several Atlanta gyms and fought locally, has passed away after fighting this weekend in Florida. [...]
Lindsay we love you too.
You did nothing wrong and you honor Adrienne with your heartfelt gratitude towards her and are a mirror of her fighting spirit.
We will all pass someday. We won’t all live to our highest potential. Adrienne died living her life on purpose and with Warrior heart and dedication.
You are all in my prayers.
Please know that no one sees this as your fault. I lived with Adrienne for almost one year and I know from our conversations that she took responsibility for the risks of being a martial artist and fighter.
Chike I’m so sorry.
God Bless You All.
-Camron
My heart felt prayers and thoughts are with her friends and family at this difficult time….you will remain in my prayers.
Condolences to her family and friends
The ambulance not being at the event is just unbeliavable
Lindsay, you did nothing wrong. There are inherent risks involved in every contact sport. What this tragedy needs to do is invoke change. Unfortunately as history has proven time and time again that tragedy is what induces the most needed change. Any contact sport where there is increased likelihood of physical trauma to the head NEEDS to have an ambulance and EMTs available on the scene!!
I am a kickboxer myself and a true kickboxer is aware of the risks that are involved with fighting long before they step into the ring. No one is at fault here and no one is to blame, it was a tragic accident. I also attended the 2008 IKF championships in Florida so I know how amazing it is to be there, you should both be proud that you had the chance to experience it. I am sure that Adrienne would want you to continue fighting as it is every fighters passion to succeed. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this. RIP.