Shawn Tompkins Dead: MMA Trainer Dies At 37

Mixed martial arts trainer Shawn Tompkins, known for coaching several fighters to stardom, died Sunday in Canada at 37 years old.

Emilie, Tompkins' wife, confirmed his death and released a statement late Sunday night.

"Team Tompkins thanks everyone for all of the condolences that have come in since the tragic news of 'The Coach's' death. Shawn would be touched beyond words by the outpouring of love from the MMA community," she said. "Sam Stout, Chris Horodecki, Mark Hominick, Kekoa Quipolta, Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins and I thank you for the respect you have shown us during this trying time. Shawn loved MMA and he considered all of you family. We will miss our Coach very much."

The cause of death is unknown at the time.

According to USA Today, announcer Mike Goldberg announced the news during Sunday night's live broadcast of UFC Live 5.

Tompkins is widely known for guiding fighters Mark Hominick, brother-in-law Sam Stout and Chris Horodecki throughout their careers.

Bas Rutten, former UFC heavyweight champion and Tompkins' mentor, told Josh Gross ESPN.com that he spoke to Tompkins on Saturday night.

"He texted me late last night, telling me he loved me," Rutten said. "So thank God I called him to tell him it was mutual."

Comments

[snakecharmer1340]

05:18 PM on 08/16/2011

Shawn died of a heart of attack. Family has a history of it.

[Pete Roc]

01:34 AM on 08/16/2011

Shawn Tompkins was great for MMA, He is very respected as a trainer and it's a shock to see that he passed away. R.I.P. Coach Tompkins.

[Spartan112]

11:29 PM on 08/15/2011

He could probably still take you. Flagged.

[snakecharmer1340]

09:47 PM on 08/15/2011

The comments on this story prove to me how little people at this site know about MMA.

[kiddub]

12:03 PM on 08/16/2011

You say that now, but wait till you see my flying knee into a spinning back fist combo!

[snakecharmer1340]

09:31 PM on 08/15/2011

Shawn went to sleep and didn't wake. He only fought a few times and that was years ago. He's mainly known as a trainer.

[GrandOldParty]

08:34 PM on 08/15/2011

Wasn't he one of the few Gay men in the MMA world? 37 is such a young age to go, truly a shame!!!

[Spartan112]

09:18 PM on 08/15/2011

Might be news to his wife, but of course any member of the GOP knows a wedding band doesn't mean much.

[snakecharmer1340]

09:27 PM on 08/15/2011

No. He's married to a woman.

[Spiggy]

09:46 PM on 08/15/2011

Yeah, so was the Governor of New Jersey Jim Mcgreevey, but it didn't stop him from playing Rest Stop Sausage fest

[fatback65]

08:07 PM on 08/15/2011

He was not a great fighter in his day, but one of the best coaches, particularly in the kick-boxing aspect of the game. Very respected by MMA fans, fighters and other coaches.

[moonflowerjewelry]

08:05 PM on 08/15/2011

My condolences to his friends and family. 37 is young.

[OnTopicOffTopic]

07:00 PM on 08/15/2011

Man, this is awful news

[Elton Trudeau]

06:57 PM on 08/15/2011

Tompkins wasn't even a fighter anymore, he was a coach, and please don't accuse someone of being a pill popper

[pululima]

10:40 PM on 08/15/2011

Wrong board, dude. Save your opinion for another day. Someone's husband, father & a brother has died.

[fratricide08]

06:17 PM on 08/15/2011

That last line (the text he sent) makes me wonder if he (a) knew he was sick and was hiding it from all but his wife or (b) took his own life.

Regardless, godspeed the healing of those he left behind. May your grief be eased by the joy of shared memories.

[javajava]

05:59 PM on 08/15/2011

Reading down the thread sparked an interest in how safe really iss MMA. I am not a fan of the sport and I thought a brief web search would confirm that it's participants would be subject to an increase in brain injury and possible death.

I was wrong.

http://impactmma.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/mixed-martial-arts-how-safe-is-mma/

[Mazzle]

06:50 PM on 08/15/2011

You weren't necessarily wrong.

That article simply cited reasons why it may be safer than boxing. That certainly doesn't mean it's either safe or that there isn't a significantly increased likelihood of brain injury or death.

[OnTopicOffTopic]

07:01 PM on 08/15/2011

Way less impact than boxers take.

3 five minute rounds ( 5 five minute rounds for championship fights) in the UFC

Much less trauma than boxing

[LebronJeremy]

07:10 PM on 08/15/2011

Both sports are inherently dangerous, but you're actually right. Each hit causes micro-trauma and you generally take more hits if it's coming from a padded hand.

[Paul Sta]

07:44 PM on 08/15/2011

The gloves are much lighter, than used it boxing, you get hit harder.

[chaz]

05:41 PM on 08/15/2011

What happen to this poor guy?

[pepper1311]

05:10 PM on 08/15/2011

Blows to the head?

[snakecharmer1340]

09:32 PM on 08/15/2011

Nope. He was a trainer. He went to sleep and just didn't wake up.