Man sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison for shooting death of Bellator fighter Isaiah Chapman

A man convicted in the shooting death of Bellator fighter Isaiah Chapman has been sentenced to 29-and-a-half years to life in prison.

Christopher Blouir, 30, pleaded guilty in May to felony charges with of aggravated murder, murder with a gun and felonious assault – enhanced by his use of a firearm – in addition to a felony concealed weapon charge. He will not be eligible for parole until he serves his minimum sentence.

Chapman, who was 30, was shot to death on April 7, 2020, outside his home after Blouir confronted him. Blouir then shot him three more times as he fell to the ground, per the Acron Beacon Journal. Chapman’s two daughters reportedly witnessed part of the crime.

“I don’t believe you’re a monster, Chris, but this was a monstrous act,” Summit County Judge Alison McCarty told Blouir during a sentencing hearing, according to Cleveland ABC affiliate News 5.

Chapman’s friends and family gave victim impact statements in court. Blouir apologized and said he was strung out on drugs when he committed the crime, per News 5.

Prosecutors said Blouir became jealous of Chapman’s relationship with his ex-girlfriend and stalked him. On April 7, Blouir confronted Chapman outside the fighter’s home and shot him.

Chapman had a professional MMA record of 9-4 and had reportedly just signed a new contract to fight for Bellator; he made his promotional debut in October 2019. The ViacomCBS-owned promotion expressed “our deepest and most sincere condolences” for Chapman’s family and directed fans to a GoFundMe organized to pay for funeral expenses.