The MMA community has come together to show solidarity with Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, which has been grappling with unprecedented floods since late April. The region has suffered greatly, with 95 confirmed fatalities, hundreds still unaccounted for, over 100,000 homes damaged or destroyed, and more than 200,000 individuals left without shelter. The local authorities estimate the damage at almost a billion dollars.
The heavy rainfall from April 22 to May 6 led to the flooding of Guaiba lake, impacting numerous cities, including the state capital of Porto Alegre. The aftermath has been marked by extensive devastation, with prominent sites like the Gigantinho gymnasium surrounded by water. Fighters at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro urged their fellow citizens to assist the victims, resulting in a wave of donations and support from the global MMA community.
Thiago Meller, a former Bellator fighter who instructs martial arts near Porto Alegre, likened the situation to a battleground, with volunteers utilizing boats and jet skis to aid those in distress. Many martial arts studios have opened their facilities to accommodate the displaced, underscoring the unity of the community in the face of adversity.
While the road to recovery will be long, international backing can be channeled through avenues like the Brazil Foundation and crowdfunding initiatives. The people of Rio Grande do Sul continue to require assistance as they navigate the aftermath of this calamitous flooding.
