A deceased professional mixed martial artist, Jordan Parsons, has officially been the first professional fighter to be publicly diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE. Widely known as a condition developed from years of playing football and boxing, CTE is a degenerative brain disease usually obtained about 8-10 years after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury, and can only be diagnosed post-mortem.

Last May, Parsons was killed due to a fatal hit and run accident in Delray Beach, Florida. With a professional record of 11 wins and two losses, Parsons was a talented fighter. His last three fights were hosted by Bellator tournaments. Parsons was very early in his Bellator MMA career, a major MMA league second only to the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC).

According to The Boston Globe, Dr. Bennett Omalu disclosed the findings of CTE after an autopsy was performed by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian. Omalu, a neuropathologist, was actually the first person to discover CTE after diagnosing a deceased NFL retiree in 2002.

“Mixed martial arts is also a dangerous sport, and it’s time for everyone to embrace the truth,” said Omalu in his disclosure, according to The Boston Globe. “As a scientist, a physician, and a person of faith, I beg everybody involved with these sports to come together and identify the problems and find solutions.”

It is important to note that not only are NFL retirees suing their own league for their failure in addressing the issue of brain injuries, but also former NHL players and professional wrestlers.