A mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter has been detained in the United States for reportedly killing a US airman with a single blow during a bar fight in Florida on Sunday.

The Panama City Beach Police have accused 23-year-old Ross Johnson of manslaughter. Johnson was recognized by the cops as a novice MMA fighter. Dayvon Larry, a 31-year-old Air Force member, has been identified as the deceased.

According to authorities, the altercation occurred both inside and outside the Coyote Ugly Saloon in Panama City Beach. Additionally, they mentioned that Larry was not a fighter but might have known a fighter.

Cops said, “Johnson hit Larry in the face once in the parking lot. The bar’s security staff broke up the brawl and attempted CPR on the airman but was unable to save him”.

“Larry died as a result of blunt force trauma”, the police added.

Further police said, “Witness accounts and surveillance footage revealed that Johnson had struck Larry with a closed fist behind his left ear, causing him to fall to the ground”.

They claimed that Johnson fled the scene via a ride-sharing service.

Larry had been assigned to the Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City.

“Man, I hit that guy”, Johnson is said to have told a witness.

“I laid him out, and I think I killed him”, he further said to the witness.

Larry had a 3-inch skull fracture and bruising the size of a ‘softball’ behind his ear, according to an autopsy.

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