Brazilian MMA fighter Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos, known for his relationship with singer Demi Lovato, has passed away at the age of 38. The heartbreaking news was shared by his uncle and godfather, Walter Vasconcelos Jr., who announced the loss on Facebook on Tuesday.
In a poignant post originally written in Portuguese, Walter expressed his deep sorrow over his nephew’s untimely death. “Sad, very sad your farewell, Guilherme Vasconcelos! And so far from us in the USA,” he wrote, alongside a black-and-white photo of Bomba looking reflective. He also highlighted the profound impact Bomba had on his family, saying, “My dear nephew, my consecration godson, extreme father of little Naomi, much loved son of my sister Elisabete Vasconcelos, partner of his brothers Breno and Isabela, and our extended family that today mourns his premature departure.”
While no official cause of death was provided, his uncle alluded to the grueling nature of Bomba’s MMA career, suggesting it may have contributed to his death. “You pursued your dreams in America as an MMA fighter, Guilherme Bomba, Brazilian champion,” he said. “But we don’t think that she [America] would also take you on a journey of no return, without any of us around.”
Bomba’s family had been eagerly anticipating his return for Christmas, but the tragic news shattered those plans. “We were waiting for you to come for Christmas that will no longer happen. Life is a breath, and we wake up to this heartbreaking news,” his uncle continued, expressing the family’s devastation. “We are praying for you! May the God who is able receive you in His infinite mercy and comfort all of us who have always loved you unconditionally!”
His mother, Elisabete Vasconcelos, also mourned her son publicly, posting a message on her Facebook that read, “Eternal longing for my beloved son,” echoing the family’s grief over the sudden loss.
Bomba was a prominent figure in the MMA community, with a career that spanned 16 professional fights. He also competed in the Jiu-Jitsu World League and appeared on Season 3 of the Brazilian version of the reality show “The Ultimate Fighter.” His social media often featured posts about his intense training sessions and fights, with his final workout video uploaded just days before his passing.
In late August, Bomba shared with his Instagram followers that he had been dealing with a recurring back injury that forced him to withdraw from a jiu-jitsu tournament in Las Vegas. “Unfortunately, the injury I had in my lower back 1 month ago came back, and when I finished my first fight, I could no longer walk and had to abandon the competition,” he wrote in Portuguese. He described the experience as “one of the most frustrating situations” he had ever faced and vowed to focus on his recovery.
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Bomba gained mainstream recognition for his relationship with pop star Demi Lovato, whom he began seeing in mid-2016 after her breakup with actor Wilmer Valderrama. At the time, Lovato, who had been with Valderrama for six years, was reportedly “just having fun” and exploring new connections. Their relationship was casual, with Us Weekly describing the pair as “just having fun.” However, by May 2017, the couple had split.
Lovato, who is now engaged to musician Jutes, has not publicly commented on Bomba’s passing as of yet. The loss of the MMA fighter has sent ripples through both the sports and entertainment communities, where he was respected for his athletic achievements and known for his high-profile relationship.
Vasconcelos will be remembered for his determination in the ring, his love for his family, and his impact on those who knew him.
His tragic passing has left his loved ones and fans mourning the loss of a talented athlete and a devoted father.
