Partner of late MMA fighter Fau Vake pays tribute to him in social media post

The partner of promising MMA fighter Fau Vake, who died a week after being critically injured during an alleged assault in Auckland, has paid tribute to her “high school sweetheart”.

In an Instagram post Fau Vake’s partner, Christina Williams, described him as an extremely loving, caring and giving person.

“Ten years of memories together with you and it has been and will forever be the best time of my life,” her post said.

“You’ve taught me what unconditional love really is, forgiveness, strength and most of all, shown me the power of our lord, Jesus Christ.

“You are the heart of your family and you are so loved.

“You’ve … touched many hearts. That’s the kind of person you were.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPM3V8vAL4K/

A post shared by Christina Williams (@_chrissywilliams)

She thanked Vake for their daughter, pledging to give her the best life and make him proud.

“My sweet love. ‘Till we meet again.”

The 25-year-old was critically injured during an altercation on Symonds St about 3am last Sunday.

Four men had been arrested and charged in relation to the incident and appeared in the Auckland District Court on Monday.

Police said new charges would be laid in the case following Vake’s death.

Representatives from his gym, Auckland’s City Kickboxing, confirmed his death in a statement this morning.

“It is with inexplicable sadness almost seven days to the hour after his hospital admission, Fau’s fight to find his way back to us ended,” a statement said.

City Kickboxing coach Mike Angove said earlier it had been a harrowing and long week for Vake’s family and friends.

“He has fought. He has fought every step of the way against catastrophic injuries and it’s only his heart that’s kept him in it for so long.

“Right now we are just very, very sad and we need to take our time to remember him. We will be with him and his family up in hospital over the next few days.”

Angove said they would also continue their work at the gym.

“That’s the best way to honour him but the rest of our time is wrapping around the family and honouring what Fau has brought into our lives.”

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya paid tribute to his City Kickboxing teammate by sharing an exchange between the pair from January this year along with a teary-eyed emoji.

Vake last fought in late April as part of the Undisputed Fight Series event in Wairarapa, where he won by TKO in the first round in the card’s main event.

The conversation read:

Adesanya: “Dunno what y’all was yarning about but you left an impression bruv.”
Vake: “Just some good yarns about life toko.”

Adesanya: “Good lad. Even Matt singing your praises too. Much love tokoua.”

Vake: “F***k man … they know how to make a man blush hahaha, much love toko.”

Since the incident, Adesanya had called for the introduction of “coward punch laws” – when someone is attacked from behind – while City Kickboxing head coach Eugene Bareman said he couldn’t understand why such a law had not been addressed sooner.

In 2014, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria all introduced such laws.

A National Party member’s 2018 bill to create a coward punch offence with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, was rejected New Zealand Parliament rejected a bill in its first reading.

“It’s sad to see Australia so far ahead of us in dealing with these evil acts. If New Zealand law doesn’t allow for a more serious penalty, we should all be pushing for it,” Bareman said.

Source: Read Full Article