Eilers victim of latest MMA tragedy

In a year with more than its share of tragedies in the MMA world, news came Friday that former UFC and EliteXC heavyweight title contender Justin Eilers was shot and killed on Christmas night.

Eilers, 30, was at the home of relatives in Idaho when an argument broke out with his ex-girlfriend. Eilers was shot in the chest after refusing to leave, according to a report by Sherdog.com’s Loretta Hunt. A 48-year-old man believed to be the boyfriend of Eilers’ mother was arrested and charged with second degree murder. A longtime member of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp in Bettendorf, Iowa, Eilers last competed for EliteXC in a bout broadcast on Showtime in July. He lost to Antonio Silva in a match that resulted in the promotion crowning its first heavyweight champion.

The death comes a week after news that fighter Justin Levens had allegedly shot himself and his wife dead in their California home and that WEC fighter Will Ribeiro went into a coma after a motorcycle accident in Brazil. Former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner died earlier this year.