RIP Charles Lewis, aka Mask from Tapout

It is with great sadness that we confirm that Charles Lewis, aka Mask from Tapout passed away this morning after an automobile accident.

Charles has been a good friend for a number of years and we were always happy by the success he had achieved. We've always had a special connection as we often found ourselves in the early days working side by show at many shows, in fact we met up and supported each other from the very beginning. The road stories and adventures we shared are too numerous to list here.

Suffice to say Charles was one of the hardest working and most successful people in our sport, and I've personally witnessed examples of his kindness to the fighters behind closed doors as well.

What you saw on television is exactly who Charles was, he did things his way and stayed true to himself the entire time. He will be remembered for his tremendous support of the sport, both in public and privately.

I'm going to miss hearing him shout out "Gumby!" at the top of lungs every time I entered an event, his energy and his laugh. RIP Mask, you will definitely be missed.