Art Jimmerson, one of the first men to compete for the UFC and known as “One Glove,” has died at the age of 60.
Art Jimmerson, the UFC pioneer, has kicked the bucket. Aged 60, he was.
Known as “One Glove” to the MMA fandom, he breathed his last on Wednesday evening. ESPN was the first to break the news.
UFC officials? Yeah, they confirmed it too. They released a statement on Jimmerson’s passing.
“The UFC family sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Art Jimmerson at this difficult time,” they said.
The cause of death? Still under wraps.
Jimmerson’s UFC journey was a one-time gig. But boy, was it memorable! He faced off with the legendary Royce Gracie at UFC 1 in November 1993.
Picture this: the pro boxer steps into the octagon, one boxing glove on his left hand, right hand bare. An odd strategy, to say the least.
Did it work for him? Not really. Gracie had him tapping out in just over two minutes.
Jimmerson’s peculiar choice has been the butt of many jokes. But, he’s an unforgettable piece of UFC’s early history. His cagefighting career may have ended abruptly against Gracie, but the legacy of “One Glove” has lived on for over thirty years.
Public appearances? Jimmerson made plenty, always with his lone glove. He’s been a regular feature in documentaries and retrospectives about the UFC’s origins.