The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community rallied around one of its most respected competitors after multiple-time ADCC champion Dean Lister revealed that he had been hospitalized following a hit-and-run accident that left him with a ruptured spleen.
Lister, renowned as one of the pioneers of modern no-gi grappling and famously credited with inspiring the rise of leg lock specialization, shared details of the incident with fans after initially remaining quiet about the extent of his injuries.
Struck by a Vehicle
According to Lister, the accident occurred as he stepped outside to get something to eat during the evening. Moments later, he heard the sound of an approaching vehicle and turned just before being struck.
The impact threw him to the ground, leaving him struggling to breathe and unable to move normally. The driver reportedly continued without stopping, turning the incident into a hit-and-run.
Despite the severity of the collision, Lister initially believed he had escaped with bruising and soreness. It wasn’t until later that doctors discovered he had suffered a ruptured spleen—a potentially life-threatening internal injury that often requires emergency medical treatment.
*Updated 07/04/2026
