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Charles was a person who was high off of life. His enthusiasm was infectious and he was just such a positive person. I try to associate myself with positive people who are genuine. Mask was definitely that. He was such an intense guy and you could feel his energy and emotions when he spoke. We spoke for a while on time on a plane from Vegas to Boston and the majority of the conversation was about how he wanted to help people and the sport.
Mask could have easily made his money from behind the scenes and not care about the fighters or the sport. Mask was not about that and neither are the other guys from Tapout for that matter. They truly love the sport and love the fighters. Even when I was not a part of the Tapout team, they always showed me a lot respect and love. He followed his dreams and sacrificed and worked hard to make it happen much like us fighters do. Mask was always asking if I needed anything, how I was feeling before fights, asked me how my gym was doing just always caring about people he knew. I just felt good talking to the guy. There was definitely an aura about him.
Mask is gone now but lives on forever through his legacy, the brand that he helped create and through the other guys from Tapout. He was an inspiration to so many people and I pray that people remember that about him. We lost an amazing and one of a kind individual.
– Kenny Florian
www.kennyflorian.com/
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I am sad and in shock after being informed of the sudden death of my friend and MMA colleague Charles Lewis Jr… Charles or as most of you know him as “Mask” of the Tapout Crew was a true pioneer of MMA… I remember when he and his crew were at every MMA related event selling their T-shirts from the trunk of their car to sales booths to their grand offices building their amazing business from the ground up into a multi-million dollar empire and all they received from it was justly deserved being the passionate workers and true entrepreneurs they be… to know Charles was to know a man who always had a smile on his face and nothing but good things to say about everyone.
Charles… It was only last week that we flew on a plane with Dan and Skrape to Ohio for UFC 96 laughing all the way… I will sincerely miss you as you always put a smile on my face… no future UFC event will ever be the same for me without you there jumping up and down in your seat screaming my name in support as I roar my Octagon announcements… thank you for your friendship, your support and for all you did for all UFC/MMA fans. You will be missed by all of us… My prayers are with you and “Rest In Peace Forever” as you will be sincerely missed but never forgotten.
– Bruce Buffer
www.bufferzone.net
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Mask was the inspiration for both my wife and I to pursue the dream that has become Fight Chix. His message is clear and we have taken it to heart.
I took my daughter to her first UFC. We had seats right by where the fighters walked in. Mask and the crew walked by a few times and my daughter Justyne gave Mask some FIGHT CHIX stickers—he thanked her and then took off one of his Believe dog tags, and gave it to her. It literally made her first UFC experience one that will never be forgotten.
We will never forget what Mask stood for, how he gave back to the sport, and most importantly his message, BELIEVE.
– Jacob Nuesser, FightChix.com
www.fightchix.com/
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I would have to say that I’ve known Mask a little over two years. He’s always been an enthusiastic and passionate person. He loved what he did; he loved everything he was a part of. And he, Punkass, and Scrape have been a part of so much.
I can’t tell you how many times, I invited Mask and Scrape out to party. they were always the ones to turn in early. Punkass was my roll dog on more than one occasion. But I have an experience I’d like to share with everyone. It’s pretty personal because everyone’s always wanting to know about my financial existence.
I got to Tampa for UFC in early February. I was going through some really rough personal issues at the time. As I was leaving the weigh ins, I ran into Mask and Scrape being picked up in a limo and they gave me a ride back to the hotel. They started inquiring about how I made it to all the shows and I told them I paid for it, shared rooms when I could and basically try to do photo shoots and sell advertising. I said it’s tough, but I love what I’m doing so it’s worth it. As I got out of the car at the hotel, mask shook my hand and said, go get yourself something nice.
They drove off and I looked in my hand and there was a $100 bill sitting there. I was blown away! A few days later, they called me up to try to schedule a photo shoot. I wish to god that we had been able to get a shoot done. I’m crying just thinking about it.
There are very few people in this industry that have contributed as much as Mask, Punkass and Scrape have. I’m very happy to have called Charles my friend.
You will be sorely missed, Charles Lewis. You have left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.
– Tracy Lee, NapkinNights.com
www.napkinnights.com/
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when I did have the opportunity to see Charles, I very much enjoyed being around him. He was an energetic and fun guy to be around. His enthusiasm was contagious. I was very saddened to hear of his passing and he as well as the rest of the TapouT family will be in my thoughts.
– Nick Thompson
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Mask was a part of MMA, his character, Charles the whole TapouT crew have contributed so much to the sport.
– Shane Carwin
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Charles was a great guy with high energy. I remember him coming out to our gym and looking for fighters that he could help, financially and in any way that he could to help their progress. He was selfless in that manner. I also remember his passion for the sport and for the fighters in it. From the beginning he and Tapout were at almost every single show, showing their support and helping fighters out whether they were wearing Tapout or not they were still fans and supported the fighters. This was a class act and awesome to see in the sport. He most definitely made an impact on us over here and will no doubt be missed.
Rest in Peace Charles… God Bless,
– Jorge Rivera, Tom Hafers, Matt Phinneyand, the entire staff at USMMA and Tim Burrill Jiu Jitsu
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What a loss for MMA…..thought he did a lot for the sport and I know he’ll always be remembered.
– Olga Bakalopoulos
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Charles was a great guy who believed in this industry to such a degree that his memory will be cherished by all who had the pleasure of meeting him and feeling his passion for MMA.
– Sam Hoger
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Charles was great he was the guy who you thought didn’t know you then all of a sudden he was texting or calling you, letting you know how great he thinks you ar., He always had a sense of humor, never serious without a good laugh in between. He gave me a shot when others wouldn’t. He was a great person, and an inspiration for all business owners. He made millions out of what started in a trunk of a car, a true pioneer and a huge mark on MMA. We love you Charles you’ll never be forgotten and that is the goal of all goals– to be remembered forever
– Leonard Garcia
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He was always in good spirits and made me laugh. I will miss seeing and talking to him at the events… RIP buddy…
– Mike Swick
www.mikeswick.com/
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He was a cool guy, and always made time for anybody who asked. He changed sports marketing as we know it. I really didn’t know him or hang out or anything. I just would see him at events and we would say “What up!!” And we would “Hook ‘Um Up” of course. My 15 year old daughter got a real nice pic with the crew, and got it signed by all the guys a few days before this all went down. So I must say. It is one of the best things I have to remember this sport. And it will always have a place on my wall. The fans have lost a true Icon. It won’t be the same without him there. And I mean that. I hope I helped. God bless his friends and family. And thanks for asking,
– Steve Mazzagatti
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Charles “Mask” Lewis’ passing is a great loss to MMA, but most importantly to the fighters of MMA. Tapout is a company that made it easier for fighters to accept the hardships that this job entails. With “Mask’s” passing we are all the less fortunate. His friendship and character will be greatly missed.
– Rory Markham
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I only know Charles as Charles I never could get used to the idea of calling him Mask. When he asked me to call him that in public years ago I laughed and just couldn’t bring myself to do it… he was a cool guy at the small OC gyms helping out the little guys in MMA. He had a TON of passion was as smart as they come, and played a huge role in helping make MMA mainstream and what it is today. I was extremely happy for his success and am very saddened by his death. I saw him at the movies a little while ago and he seemed so happy, Charles may you RIP knowing you did a lot of good for a lot of people and I for one of many will miss you and your smiles I will never again be able to go to a show and have you sneak up at me from behind, scare the crap out of me and give me one of your huge hugs. Thanks for everything
Your pal & lots of love
– Debi Purcell
www.debipurcell.com/
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The first time I ever saw Tapout merchandise was at a Jiu Jitsu tournament in Southern California in 1998. They only had stickers, tight fight shorts and shirts. They had a table and all the extra merchandise was held in the back of a car. As time passed, I was going to more tournaments and started fighting in 2002. Charles and the guys were there and at ANY(I mean ANY) fights or event. It was great to see them go from the back of a car, to a van, to a bus and so on. Every time you would talk to Charles, you could sense his energy about what he was doing. I was always on good and friendly terms, but in 2006 I became a member of the Tapout family with a sponsorship. This brought my respect and face time with Charles up by a lot. We would have long talks on the phone and he would break down his beliefs on the sport of MMA and being true to yourself. It was great for someone to believe in something so strong and to never change his persona, regardless of the success of his company. Charles and TapouT were at the start of MMA, prior to anyone knowing about it, before it was on cable and main stream. It was great running into him even after that and I’m saddened to know his rabid energy and personality won’t bless my life anymore.
– Gabriel Ruediger
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I’m a Sprawl sponsored fighter. Always have been. But every UFC I would sit next to these 3 clowns… who couldn’t make me feel more welcome. I can’t tell you how many times Mask would grab me in a bear hug and say to me, “Nothin but love and respect for you brother. Ever think about coming over to the dark side?” And we’d both laugh. I never knew Mask nearly as much as you all but his passing has affectied me more deeply than I would have thought. I think it’s because I saw in him that which I appreciate most about people… a passion to follow a dream no matter what the consequences. And to enjoy every minute of it. Love to all his family and those mourning his passing.
– Nathan Quarry
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I first met Charles back in 2001 at one of Montre Cox..s shows in UTah. Even though i..d lost my fight against a tough Jason Miller, he really took his time to cheer me up and make me feel like a professional. Tapout was THE brand that was synonimous with the sport of MMA, and we would not be where we are without people like him.
– Denis Kang
www.deniskang.com/
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I’ll never get Charles’ laugh and voice out of my head and I will smile every time I hear it. Being the first fighter sponsored by them makes me proud. Seeing Mask, Skrape, and Punkass at the shows has always been something I looked forward to. I will continue to see Mask in the crowd at every show I’m at. God bless.
– Pat Miletich
