Former MMA and BKFC fighter Lumumba Sayers has been found guilty of second-degree murder following a two-week trial in Colorado, bringing a shocking case to a dramatic conclusion.
A jury convicted Lumumba Sayers on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and attempted tampering. While prosecutors initially pushed for first-degree murder, which carries a life sentence, the final conviction still leaves Lumumba Sayers facing up to 48 years in prison.
The charges stem from a 2024 shooting that left 28-year-old Malcolm Watson dead at a birthday party in Commerce City, Colorado.
According to reports, witnesses claimed Lumumba Sayers approached Watson and shot him at close range.
Witnesses said the situation escalated quickly.
“He walked up and shot him in the head at close range,” a witness reportedly told investigators.
Authorities also alleged that Lumumba Sayers attempted to fire a second shot, but his gun jammed. Prosecutors further claimed he tried to manipulate the scene afterward.
“He allegedly attempted to place a weapon near the victim’s body,” the report stated.
Prosecutors argued that Lumumba Sayers acted out of revenge, believing Watson had ties to the death of his son in 2023.
“This murder was probably in retaliation or revenge,” court documents stated.
However, the connection between Watson and the alleged suspect in Sayers’ son’s case was never fully established in court.
During the trial, Lumumba Sayers maintained his innocence. His legal team argued that he did not pull the trigger and suggested another individual carried out the shooting.
Sayers’ attorneys also pointed out that the firearm recovered during his arrest was not the weapon used in the killing.
Prosecutors countered with a different theory, claiming the murder weapon was an untraceable “ghost gun” that was never recovered.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed another individual approaching Sayers moments after the shooting.
“The individual ran away carrying what appeared to be a covered object,” prosecutors said.
After deliberating for over a day, the jury returned a guilty verdict on multiple counts against Lumumba Sayers.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 24, where a judge will determine how much time he will serve.
Before the case, Lumumba Sayers built a career in combat sports. He competed in Strikeforce, facing notable names like Anthony Smith and Derek Brunson.
He later transitioned to bare-knuckle boxing and made a brief but memorable appearance in BKFC, scoring a quick knockout victory in 2024.
Now, Lumumba Sayers’ story has taken a drastic turn — from the fight game to a courtroom battle that could define the rest of his life.
