Dana White speaks about Mask's death

Here's Dana White on the recent passing of Tapout founder and owner Mask. He tells The Canadian Press:

"It still, right now, hasn't hit me yet. It's still surreal, and doesn't seem real. But I'm going to tell you right now, you couldn't meet a nicer guy, a more friendly, outgoing guy, a more loyal guy. He really was a good person. He's one of the pioneers, one of the legends of this sport. This guy was selling T-shirts out of the trunk of his car and when we first got involved with the UFC, we met them. We really liked them, we liked their energy. They were good people and we got together and we started doing all this grassroots marketing together - the UFC and Tapout. They were very loyal to us and we were very loyal to them. And it sucks to see a guy who has worked so hard his whole life, to finally make it and break through, and then have something like this happen to him."

The saddest part is that the death could've been avoided if everybody involved didn't exercise a lapse in judgment. Street racing? C'mon. That's not how anybody wants to die. You want to die pulling out disabled orphans from a burning building, or fighting off a tiger with your bare hands to save an old woman.

Tapout founder, Mask, dead in car accident

Charles "Mask" Lewis Jr., founder of the Tapout brand of mixed martial arts apparel, died in a Newport Beach car accident Wednesday at 1am. Tapout posted the following statement on their official site:

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.

If reports are to be believed, Mask was racing his Ferrari against a Porsche when the two cars collided. The Ferrari lost control, spun out, and hit a pole which split the car in half. The driver of the Porsche was later arrested after leaving the scene of the accident. Another woman was in the passenger seat with Mask, but was thrown clear during the accident, and is now hospitalized but in stable condition.

Despite the stupidity involved with the circumstances, this is still incredibly sad. Love him or hate him, Mask played a huge role in MMA, supporting up and coming fighters and growing the sport indirectly. His antics may or may not have sat well with you, but he played a pivotal role in young fighters' lives, allowing them to make a living and stay in the sport.