Strikeforce, BKFC veteran Lumumba Sayers arrested for alleged revenge killing at child's birthday party

Four-time Strikeforce and one-time BKFC veteran Lumumba Sayers has been arrested and charged with the murder of a man at a child’s birthday party in Colorado.

Sayers, 46, was arrested in Commerce City after he allegedly shot and killed 28-year-old Malcolm Watson, believed to be a friend of the man previously accused of killing Sayers’ son, Lumumba Sayers Jr.

Sayers is currently being held in Adams County (Colo.) jail, a police spokesperson confirmed to MMA Junkie. A court representative confirmed to MMA Junkie that Sayers appeared in court Monday for a hearing on bond, which was set at $1 million Sayers will appear in court again Thursday.

According to a report by Denver 7, an arrest affidavit states that Watson was attending his child’s birthday party at a park around 5 p.m. local time Saturday when witnesses say Sayers arrived and shot him in the head. Witnesses say Sayers tried to shoot Watson again with a second gun, but it jammed. Sayers then allegedly tried to plant a gun on Watson in front of witnesses.

Since his son’s death in 2023, Sayers had been an outspoken anti-gun violence advocate, utilizing his platform to speak on the issue. A man named Tyrell Braxton was arrested and charged in connection with Sayers Jr.’s death. However, the case was later dismissed.

Sayers competed four times in Strikeforce from 2011 to 2012. He went 2-2 with his losses against future UFC contenders Anthony Smith and Derek Brunson. He returned to combat sports competition for the first time in a decade under the BKFC banner in May when he defeated Jeremy Morrison by knockout in 12 seconds.