Tyrell Fortune wins UFC debut after score error reversal, years after being pronounced dead

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Heavyweight Tyrell Fortune rose through the professional MMA ranks roughly a decade ago. It took until Saturday for him to secure his first UFC victory, though it did not come without drama.

Fourteen years after being pronounced dead during a weight cut, Fortune now also adds a UFC win to his comeback.

Fortune initially beat Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night, receiving judges' scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28. However, cage announcer Bruce Buffer caused confusion by reading the scores incorrectly, announcing totals that favored Fortune’s opponent.

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Tyrell Fortune reacts after a victory against Marcin Tybura during the UFC Fight Night event at Climate Pledge Arena on March 28, 2026, in Seattle. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

The error went unnoticed until Fortune had exited the octagon and headed toward the tunnel. Officials brought him back, where he was officially declared the winner.

"I was so upset with myself," Fortune said as he evaluated his performance. "I felt I didn't do enough. I was just upset. With two weeks' notice, I feel like I did a good job, but I also need to come with a better performance next time."

The former NCAA Division II wrestling champion’s path to Saturday’s victory includes a 2012 weight-cut incident that left him pronounced dead before he made a full recovery.

Tyrell Fortune prepares to face Marcin Tybura during the UFC Fight Night event on March 28, 2026 in Seattle. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

He recalled the experience, saying it still doesn’t feel real years later. "I tried to forget about it for so long... because it seemed so