Sad news out of Brazil today, Potato Nation, as it has been reported that MMA legend Wanderlei Silva’s father, Holando Pinheiro da Silva, was killed in a car accident yesterday. Holando, who makes an appearance around the 1:20 mark of the above video that was shot just a few days ago, fully supported Wanderlei’s career as a mixed martial artist and claimed he was “bringing pride to all of Brazil.”

Badnewsfmcuritaba first broke the news, as translated by Google:

The father of MMA fighter Wanderlei Silva, Holando Pinheiro da Silva, died in a car accident this afternoon. The accident occurred in the region of Castro, where his father lived fighter. The body was taken to the Forensic Institute of Ponta Grossa, in the Campos Gerais region. According to relatives, Wanderlei Silva is in Las Vegas, United States, and was told of the accident by phone. The fighter comes to Paraná tomorrow.

After the jump: A tweet from Wanderlei regarding the news.

Some sad news out of California today, as it was recently reported that former WEC champion and current #1 bantamweight contender Urijah Faber‘s sister was in a car accident late Friday night and has had to undergo major surgery which has left her in a medically induced coma as a result. Sacbee.com was the first to break the story:

Michaella Tastad, 19, was driving home Friday with a friend at 3 a.m. when she rear ended a vehicle slowing down near the site of a single-car accident, according to California Highway Patrol Officer David Martinez. A few minutes later, three more cars collided. Three people were taken to the hospital, but only Tastad suffered major injuries, Martinez said.

Faber said his sister received life-threatening head trauma and is in a medically induced coma at Sutter Roseville Medical Center. He said Tastad also has a collapsed lung, spleen damage and several other injuries. Part of Tastad’s skull was removed and she underwent a second surgery to insert a shunt to help drain fluid, Faber said.

On Monday, Faber said his family received their first good news when doctors briefly took his sister off medicine that induces the coma.

“She gave a peace sign and wiggled her toes,” Faber said. “Then they put her back under … We are done being scared and now it’s about having the recovery we all want.”

(Photo courtesy of Sherdog.)

In a new tribute/report titled "The Man That Was ‘Mask’," Sherdog adds some backstory to the tragic death of TapouT founder Charles Lewis Jr. As it turns out, Lewis was as sober as Jeffrey Kirby was drunk, and the street-racing theory is probably off-base as well. Here’s what we know now:

A criminal trial for Kirby is tentatively scheduled for next month.

TapouT has released an official statement after losing their co-founder and friend, Charles Lewis, better known as "Mask."  Here it is, via their official website:

"It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we must regretfully confirm the passing of our beloved friend, brother and co-founder Charles "Mask" Lewis following a car accident that occurred last night. We are currently in the process of setting up a memorial service in his honor and will release more details as they become available. Many thanks to all for the outpouring of blessings and well-wishing during this incredibly difficult time." – The TapouT Family

Once again, our condolences to his family and friends.  Today MMA has lost a valued advocate and a patron.  He will be missed.

(Photo courtesy of thespec.com)

We really hope this isn’t true, but the chatter is not good. By now it’s been confirmed. From RingleaderFightNews: