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Arrests in murder of Jewish MMA fighter Aaron Rajman

The 'Matzah Brawler' sometimes entered the ring wearing a yarmulka and tzitzis

September 4, 2017 13:55
Mr Rajman was nicknamed the 'Matzah Brawler'
1 min read

Police in Florida have charged three teenagers with the murder of the mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Aaron Rajman, who was shot dead at his home in Boca Raton in July.

Nicknamed the "Matzah Brawler", Mr Rajman was one of few Orthodox Jews who was also a professional MMA fighter and is reported to have frequently entered the ring wearing a yarmulka and tzitzis. 

Mr Rajman, who was 25 at the time of his death, described himself as "somewhat of an observant Jew" and worshipped at at Chabad synagogue, telling the MMA Futures website in 2015 that he began his day with Torah studies before heading to the gym.

Authorities do not consider Mr Rajman's murder to be a hate crime and previously said it was not related to his faith. The three teenagers — named as Summer Church, Roberto Ortiz and Jace Swinton — have been charged with first-degree murder and "home invasion with a firearm or other deadly weapon".