WECs Will Ribeiro in life-threatening motorcycle wreck
by James Iannotti on Dec 17, 2008 2:32 PM EST
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PrintSad news was reported yesterday:
Two-fight World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) bantamweight veteran Will Ribeiro (10-2) was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Tuesday morning. He was apparently the passenger on the bike and wasn't wearing a helmet. It was also reported that it was raining that night and the roads were extra slippery at the time of the accident.
Ribeiro was rushed to Andaraí’s Hospital where he received immediate emergency surgery. However, it's still uncertain whether or not he'll be able to make a full recovery. A sorrowful Ed Soares -- Ribeiro's manager --had this to say about the devastating news:
"My assistant said that the doctor said for sure that he has lost sight in one of his eyes. He’s still in a coma. After surgery the doctor said there is a 50-50 shot that he will come out of it (survive)."
Ribeiro fought on the WEC 37 main card two weeks ago in Las Vegas, Nevada, against top division contender Brian Bowles. While he came up short in the fight, he was still able to showcase his exciting style to a live television audience on the Versus network and certainly won over some new fans that night.
However, his fighting career is more than likely in jeopardy with the reports of his lost eyesight in one of his eyes. But right now he's fighting for his life and there's no guarantee he'll be able to win that battle. His fighting career is probably the furthest thing from his friends and family's thoughts.
Ribeiro lost both his parents at a young age and was put in a position where he basically had to raise his 12-year-old sister. Soares also spoke about that a little bit in his statement and what he had to say told a lot about the kind of person Will Ribeiro is.
Here's a snip:
"He’s a very positive guy, very hard-working, a good person. He had had a very rough life. His mother passed away like seven years ago and he took over the care of his younger sister. He’s like a father-brother-mother to her. I’m still crushed right now."
Let's all keep Ribeiro and his family in your prayers and let's hope he can pull through.
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I will never understand why anyone would want to ride a motorcycle – the risk/reward ratio does not make sense to me. I hope the poor bastard pulls through, however. Looks like he has already had a tough life.
by stevo on Dec 17, 2008 2:44 PM EST reply actions
Ive been wanting a chopper for a long time. When I got serious about going to get one, I saw an accident! So I left it alone for a while. Then I started getting into it again and really looking for the one I wanted! Another accident, this one was a lady! So I just took it as a sign, and left it alone! Hope this guys makes it!
by JV on Dec 17, 2008 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
This is some very sad news. He’s one of the best featherweights on the planet. First Edson Drago, now him. Hope his eye sight is not gone either.
by NameNotRequired on Dec 17, 2008 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
Most of my friends are paramedics. They all wanted to get motorcycles at one point, but after working a while as paramedics, none of them will even get near one.
by naturalshadow on Dec 17, 2008 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
I just sold my bike 3 weeks ago because the risk to reward ratio is just not worth it. Very scary stuff no matter how you put it.
by What? on Dec 17, 2008 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
I love riding motorcycles. There’s definitely less margin of error with a motorcycle. If you aren’t careful you’re going to end up hurting yourself. I never ride without a helmet and I sure as hell wouldn’t be a passanger without a helmet.
Ribeiro made a big mistake, hopefully not a fatal one. Hope he pulls through.
by RealDrew on Dec 17, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
I can go ahead and tell everyone right now. It isnt a question of how good or bad of a driver you are. It is a question of when a wreck will happen. It is almost inevitable that every guy that rides a motorcycle has had at least one incident no matter how small.
by c-war on Dec 17, 2008 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
damn, i just wrecked my bike two and a half weeks ago. that is so crazy man. and it deff, is not worth it.
i was doing everyhting right when a van pulled out in front of me. broke my foot, 12 stitches in the chin and some road rash…oh and one more thing it left me with..the feeling that i will never get on a bike again.
and most of the time its not even the motorcyclists fault. so risk reward ratio is not even negotiable..its just not worth it!
by xwolfmanxx on Dec 17, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions
I hope he can pull through as well, fight again or not.
by naturalshadow on Dec 17, 2008 10:43 PM EST up reply actions
Hope you pull through Will Ribeiro, this guy is a warrior. Your in my thoughts Will.
by Ballam on Dec 17, 2008 2:51 PM EST reply actions
I like Ribeiro…this is a shame.
Why the hell do people still ride bikes with no helmets? Are people really this stupid still? Not to be a dick, but people should wake the fuck up and realize that riding without a lid does not make you look “tough” or “macho”…you just look like a guy on a bike.
by introvert on Dec 17, 2008 2:54 PM EST reply actions
I never get to see WEC cards over here in Ireland so I don’t know of him besides this site. Still my thoughts go out to his sister and any other family and friends
Hope you can pull through
by IrishKev on Dec 17, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions
Will was a good fighter. His fight against Chase Beebe was awesome, his standup is different than other fighters in the WEC. He wasn’t as cookie-cutter, and I was looking forward to his next match.
It looks like his career could be over, as long as he lives, it’s OK.
by Space on Dec 17, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
we don’t know all of the circumstances. maybe he had little choice about getting on that bike or not. when you are responsible for someone else as young as a little sister it’s easier and almost natural to throw out concerns about your own safety in many scenarios. i am in no way condoning him getting on the bike without a helmet, just saying that we have little in the way of details and should wait for that before unleashing the flood of judgement…which is sure to ensue anyway. respect.
by arthurzero on Dec 17, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions
My thoughts and prayers are with him and his sister.
I saw a plane and helicopter crash, a car crash into a river and two people died. I guess I will never travel again. For those of you who don’t ride motorcycles grow a pair, and stop bashing the people who do. Accidents happen everyday get a life.
by ATL on Dec 17, 2008 3:38 PM EST reply actions
accidents do happen but the highest percentage of organ donors are motorcyclists. good enough of an argument for me. that, and when i was 13 i saw a guy get t boned on a bike and his leg looked worse than cory hills.
by Egads on Dec 17, 2008 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
hope he gets better, this guys been through too much in life from what ive read, i wish the best in surgery and hope he makes it out okay
by Jared on Dec 17, 2008 4:00 PM EST reply actions
Damn! This is horrible news. Hope he’s able to pull through and recover.
by Stefan Manojlovic on Dec 17, 2008 4:16 PM EST reply actions
Wow dude your even more of a tool than i thought!!!
This guy might lose his life and all you can do is comment about your obsession with BJ!!
by mike22 on Dec 17, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
AdamG, nice comment from somebody who “sits around waiting to save lives”
by Adam on Dec 17, 2008 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve been riding a motorcycle for 6 years. The danger is always there but you should always keep in mind to wear a helmet and never ride during raning season. I hope he recovers
by Don on Dec 17, 2008 5:25 PM EST reply actions
MY bro aint been riding for to long but barely after a few weeks of him riding some retarded driver cut him off nasty and he made a rookie mistake and went flying landed fractured both his forearms. He recovered few weeks later and right back to it some people just dont learn…
by Khaos_Warrior on Dec 18, 2008 2:49 AM EST reply actions
that sucks my dad almost died on a motorcycle……..
My best hopes and wishes for a speedy recovery, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Get well soon Will.
Andrew from Utah
by Andrew on Dec 18, 2008 11:18 AM EST reply actions
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