The MMA community lost one of its greatest contributors Sunday when renowned Canadian trainer Shawn Tompkins died suddenly. He was 37.
The Tillsonburg, Ont., native, who is famous for establishing Team Tompkins at his gym in London, Ont., before moving to Las Vegas four years ago, was staying with a friend in Hamilton while in town to see some of his up-and-coming fighters compete on a local card. He went to sleep Saturday night but did not wake up Sunday morning.
He was discovered by his friend at approximately 11 a.m. and later pronounced dead. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday in London.
Tompkins, who was the first trainer to UFC veterans Sam Stout and Mark Hominick and Bellator fighter Chris Horodecki, leaves a huge legacy on MMA.
He built a great reputation, in particular for his Muay Thai teaching, and was coach of the Los Angeles Anacondas of the now-defunct International Fight League. In August 2007 he was hired as head instructor at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. Then in October 2009 he left and moved across town to become a team trainer at TapouT Research and Development Training Center.
But he never left behind his Canadian roots, still cornering and acting as a big brother to his original students. All the while, he remained always accessible to fighters, fans and media.
Tompkins, who was married to Stout’s sister Emilie, was the first athlete to support Sportsnet’s (Showdown) Joe Ferraro back when he was a fight promoter.
"I owe a lot to him for my career," said Ferraro. "He was a source of inspiration for me. Now that he’s gone, it’s a huge void for me. My friend’s gone."
Tompkins, who was thrilled when MMA was finally sanctioned in his home province earlier this year and was in the corner of a number of fighters for their first bouts on Ontario soil, also fought four times in MMA as a professional in 2000-2001, losing all of them by TKO.
Looking back: Tompkins comes home to see his fighters compete as MMA finally sanctioned in Ontario
“Big loss for our sport. Shawn Tomkins (sic). We will miss him!” tweeted UFC chairman Lorenzo Fertitta.
Emilie Tompkins released the following 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.
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.”
